Soil Sampling Helps Farmers Save Money and Protect Water Quality

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig announces a new partnership to conduct nitrogen soil testing in central Iowa watersheds.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:51pm

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A highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular patterns, and precise botanical spirals in soft, earthy tones of green, brown, and blue against a clean white background, conceptually representing the complex interplay of nitrogen, soil, and water.A new soil sampling initiative aims to help Iowa farmers optimize fertilizer use and protect water quality through data-driven insights.Des Moines Today

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig has announced a new three-year program to conduct nitrogen soil testing for farmers in central Iowa watersheds. The goal is to help farmers right-size their fertilizer applications, reduce input costs, and prevent nutrient runoff that impacts water quality. The project is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC).

Why it matters

With high input costs and low grain prices, farmers are looking for ways to save money. Soil sampling can help them optimize fertilizer use and maintain yields while also reducing the risk of nutrient pollution in Iowa's waterways. This project supports both economic and environmental goals for the state's agricultural community.

The details

The Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project will begin this spring, focusing on fields directly upstream from the Des Moines metro area. It will then expand to additional central Iowa watersheds like the Boone, Des Moines, Middle Cedar, and Raccoon River basins in the fall. The data collected will help inform fertilizer recommendations from the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative and advance research at Iowa State University on nitrogen behavior in fields.

  • The Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project will launch this spring 2026.
  • The project will expand to additional central Iowa watersheds in fall 2026.

The players

Mike Naig

The Iowa Agriculture Secretary who announced the new soil sampling partnership.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)

The state agency leading the Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project in collaboration with INREC.

Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC)

The organization partnering with IDALS on the soil sampling initiative.

Iowa State University

The university that will conduct additional research on nitrogen behavior using data from the soil sampling project.

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What they’re saying

“Improving water quality in Iowa is nonnegotiable and our shared responsibility. There is a sense of urgency to scale up projects, and partnerships and collaboration are the only way we can make meaningful progress.”

— Mike Naig, Iowa Agriculture Secretary

What’s next

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The takeaway

This soil sampling initiative demonstrates how farmers can leverage data-driven insights to optimize fertilizer use, reduce input costs, and protect water quality - all while maintaining crop productivity. It's a win-win solution that highlights the power of public-private partnerships to drive sustainable agriculture practices.