Take Five – March 26, 2026

A joint meeting of the Agronomy and Environment Committees this week focused on Iowa statehouse activity, updated regulatory changes for dicamba during the 2026 growing season, and a soil sampling pilot project.

The Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC) is leading a pilot project in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. INREC Executive Director Ben Gleason explained the program's goal of helping provide additional useful data points for farmers to make more informed nitrogen application decisions. The pilot will use soil sampling to provide insight on nitrogen changes between seasons and residual nitrogen availability in the soil. AAI members will receive more detailed information with ways to support the pilot in the coming weeks.

The committee reviewed the updated dicamba label for over the top applications of soybeans and discussed the practical implications of the new rules. The 2026 label maintains the earlier of June 12 or V4 growth stage restriction and the training requirements. The label adjusts the total rate applied per application and per season, and adds restrictions and requirements related to temperature, weather, volatility reduction agents, and conservation practices. Committee members discussed the importance of grower education for the upcoming crop season.

The committee also received an update on the current legislative session. Among the bills important to the committee were those related to water quality, transportation of ag products, provisions in the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Iowa Farm Act legislation, and above ground storage tank taxation.

An update from the committee will be provided to the AAI Board of Directors at their April meeting.

Get Involved

AAI members can help shape the policies, programs, and events that matter most to them by participating in an AAI committee. AAI member company employees can serve on a committee by emailing [email protected] , calling the AAI office, or filling out a form online .