Summer field days highlight conservation and technology

May 21, 2026 | Kriss Nelson

Farmers will have several opportunities this summer to learn more about conservation practices, cover crop management and emerging precision agriculture technology during a series of on-farm field days hosted by the Iowa Soybean Association.

Roots and Results Field Days

Farmers looking to learn more about practical conservation practices and long-term cover crop management are invited to attend the upcoming Roots and Results Field Days hosted by ISA, Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa Corn Growers Association.

“Our Roots and Results field days give farmers the opportunity to learn about tools that can help improve water quality across the state and how to manage risks associated with implementing cover crops,” says Alex Schaffer, ISA research agronomy lead.

The hands-on summer events will focus on conservation strategies being implemented on real farms across Iowa. Attendees will hear from farmer and conservation experts.

Field day participants will also have the opportunity to view long-term cover crop strips and review real trial results to better understand how conservation practices may fit within their own operations.

Learning in Waverly

The first Roots and Results field day is right around the corner.

Presentations will include a trial results overview from the ISA and Iowa Corn Growers Association, cover crop best management practices from Iowa State University Extension Cropping Systems Specialist Mark Licht and a Conservation Station On the Edge demonstration from Iowa Learning Farms.

Date: June 4

Time: Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and program begins at 10 a.m.

Location: Mueller Farms, 1/4-mile west of 1043 190th St. Waverly, Iowa 50677 

Sign Me Up For The Field Day In Waverly

Lunch will follow the program. RSVP by May 28.

For more information, contact Julia Brenizer, ISA producer services coordinator at jbrenizer@iasoybeans.com or 815-878-5622.

Field tested practices in Dayton

A second Roots and Results Field Day is a couple of weeks away.

The Dayton program will feature trial results from ISA, a presentation from Licht on cover crop management practices and an Iowa Learning Farm Conservation State On the Edge demonstration.

Date: June 11

Time: Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and program begins at 10 a.m.

Location: Blair Farm, 3531 Paragon Ave. Dayton, IA 50530 

Sign Me Up For The Field Day In Dayton

Farmers must RSVP by June 4.

For more information, contact Kennady Henry, ISA producer services coordinator at khenry@iasoybeans.com or 515-491-3539.

Autonomous Innovation Field Day

Farmers interested in learning more about autonomous equipment and precision application technology will have the opportunity to do so during an autonomous sprayer field day.

Date: June 9

Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon

Location: Joe Dierickx home farm, 2352 220th Street, DeWitt.

Save A Spot For Me At The Autonomous Sprayer Field Day

Farmers must RSVP by June 1.

The field day will highlight the Dierickx family’s on-farm research trial using the Solinftec Solix autonomous sprayer. Attendees will hear from Joe and Scott Dierickx about their experience using the technology on their operation, along with insights from the ISA research agronomy team and representatives from Solinftec about additional opportunities from autonomous equipment and on-farm trials.

Participants will also have the chance to see the autonomous sprayer in action during an in-field demonstration and learn more about emerging precision application technology and future trial opportunities with ISA.

“The field day is going to showcase the Solix autonomous sprayer working in real time and its ability to scout and maintain a clean field,” says Lucas De Bruin, ISA research agronomist. “Having this robot scout the field allows us to quickly find problem areas and gives farmers the opportunity to address issues both during the season and potentially for the following year.”

De Bruin says the targeted spraying technology can also reduce herbicide use by applying products only where needed.

“By continually spraying and going over the field, this allows a decrease in residual and contact herbicide use through targeted spraying technology,” he says. “That creates two wins for the farmer – not having to sit in the sprayer to get the field done and a reduction in herbicide use."

The solar-powered Solix autonomous sprayer also operates with a refill station that allows for continuous operation in the field.

“The continuous operation-thanks  to the refill station-reduces the carbon footprint and soil compaction of that field,” says De Bruin.

Questions can be directed to Julia Brenizer at jbrenizer@iasoybeans.com or 815-878-5622.

Written by Kriss Nelson.

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