A Japanese farmer who’s seen huge success by raising ducks among his rice paddies is coming to Iowa State University today to share his experiences. Fred Kirschenmann, director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, says the ducks on this man’s land control weeds, insects and snails and helped dramatically increase his yield.On a five-acre farm in Japan, he’s producing annually seven tons of rice, three hundred ducks, four-thousand ducklings, hundreds of eggs and enough vegetables to feed one-hundred people. Kirschenmann says there’s little market for rice and ducks in Iowa and he’s not proposing Iowa farmers turn pigs loose in their cornfields. He’s just trying to get producers here to think about what they do from a different angle.Takao Furuno has helped ten thousand farmers in Japan start using his system and has traveled to many other countries spreading the word of his success. Kirschenmann says farmers in Mexico are using chickens in some of their fields to reduce the insect population. Kirschenmann hopes Furuno’s visit will serve as an inspiration to Iowa growers.The seminar is slated for at 2 p-m at I-S-U’s Agronomy Hall.
RECENT NEWS
- Plan to merge Des Moines Waterworks with other systems moving forward
- IDP chair says she’s focused on recruiting leaders for county parties
- Iowa State’s Contreraz wins Big-12 award
- Recommendation would merge or eliminate 111 state boards and commissions
- Railroad spokesman says crossing accidents increase with colder weather
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
UNI receives grant to turn old photos into interactive exhibit
UNI receives grant to turn old photos into interactive exhibit - Radio Iowa
An archival photography project at the University of Northern Iowa has landed a federal grant to help its users ...
www.radioiowa.com
Home test
Home test - Radio Iowa
www.radioiowa.com
Unhealthy air detected in parts of the state from Canadian wildfire smoke
Unhealthy air detected in parts of the state from Canadian wildfire smoke - Radio Iowa
The wildfire smoke from Canada is back over Iowa once again. Brian Hutchins at the DNR Air Quality Bureau says ...
www.radioiowa.com
Banks in Sioux, Lyon County the target of check cashing fraud
Banks in Sioux, Lyon County the target of check cashing fraud - Radio Iowa
The Sioux and Lyon County Sheriff Departments are working with local police trying to identify individuals involved ...
www.radioiowa.com