Stewardship Meets Strategy: INREC Hosting Nutrient Reduction Webinar Jan. 7

If you farm or own ground, advise growers, work within conservation, want to expand your own nutrient management efforts, or simply care about water quality in Iowa, this webinar is for you. You’ll come away with practical insight, a stronger grasp of the data behind statewide trends, and tools you can use in real life.

The Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC) is providing a free webinar on Jan. 7 at 9:00 a.m. Stewardship Meets Strategy: Nutrient Reduction – A Virtual Discussion, will unpack years of data, research, and real-world insights surrounding nutrient reduction practices and statistics across the state.

This webinar will show not just what the numbers say, but how they came together. The presenters are putting three powerful pieces of the puzzle in one place so you can see the full picture:

• 2024 Nutrient Reduction Survey Results: Discover what farmers across Iowa are doing to reduce nutrient loss, how those practices are verified, and how they compare to past seasons.

• Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Dashboard: Explore a robust, data-rich portal built from two decades of monitoring and modeling. Learn where the data comes from, how it has evolved, and how you can use it.

• N-Fact Tool: Understand how on farm trials, survey data, and nitrogen science combine to help you make better, field-level nitrogen decisions.

Learn More and Register

Two Weeks Remain For Iowa Commercial Applicator Of The Year Nominations

Recognize An Applicator for Their Great Work

This award showcases the hard work professional applicators put into caring for crops and customers as well as their involvement in their communities.

Nominations for Iowa Commercial Applicator of the Year must be received no later than close of business on Dec. 31, 2025. View full details about the award on the Iowa Commercial Applicator of the Year webpage.

Submit A Nomination

Questions? Please contact Heath DeYoung at hdeyoung@agribiz.org or 515.262.8323.

Member Spotlight: Creative Planning

About Creative Planning

Creative Planning is an independent wealth management firm, registered investment advisor, business services and advisory firm. More specifically, the Creative Planning Business Services arm provides a comprehensive suite of services to support and empower agribusinesses and their owners.

Services Offered

Retirement Services, Investment Advisory, Accounting & Tax Payroll Services, Legal, M&A and Consulting, Audit & Attest, Human Capital Management, Valuations, Technology, Insurance

What Makes Creative Planning Unique

Creative Planning provides a team-based approach with in-house specialists across a multitude of professional services. We start by understanding personal and business goals and values, then design customized solutions and services that align with your goals.

What Creative Planning Values Most About AAI Membership

AAI keeps their members up to date on the issues and opportunities facing the industry. I appreciate this knowledge and the networking opportunities to engage with members to help them navigate these industry obstacles and opportunities.

Recent Successes

With AAI at the forefront of communication regarding recent changes to financial reporting requirements for Iowa Grain Dealers, we were able to proactively reach out and help Iowa agribusiness impacted by this rule change.

Something You Might Not Know About Creative Planning

Creative Planning works with clients in all 50 states, has 91 office locations across the U.S., has over 20,000 business clients and 85,000 investment advisory clients.

How To Contact Creative Planning

https://creativeplanning.com

eric.thuente@creativeplanning.com

319-739-2913

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-thuente-8671585/

The Member Spotlight highlights AAI member companies to help you understand more about these businesses and create stronger connections across the agribusiness industry. If you are an affiliate member and would like to see your business highlighted in the Member Spotlight, contact hdeyoung@agribiz.org for details.

Thank You For Your Membership!

As a member of AAI, you support the industry that is leading innovation, stewardship, and growth. Thank you for your membership and your commitment to the success of agribusiness in Iowa.

The following companies have recently joined or renewed their membership for the 2026 Membership Year.

Out And About

MEMBER & INDUSTRY MEETINGS

• Bartlett
• AgVision a Cultura Company

Visits by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

• Kent Worldwide

Visit by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

Advanced Feed and Milling Short Course Offered In Partnership With Iowa State University

A new advanced short course for feed manufacturing and milling is being offered in partnership with Iowa State University for grain, feed, animal and bioproducts industry professionals. The five-day course will provide instruction utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex in Ames, Iowa.

IGFIA Advanced Feed Manufacturing & Mill Management Short Course

March 16-20, 2026

ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Complex

Ames, Iowa

Course Fee - $1750

Registration Online

The course will cover:

• Principles of Hammer and Roller Milling
• Maintaining Quality of Stored Grains, DDGS, SBM and Ingredients
• Principles of Batching and Mixing
• Utilization of Plant Automation Systems
• Principles of Steam Generation, Distribution and Regulation
• Mash Conditioning, Hygienizing and Pelleting 
• Cooling, Crumbling, and Post-Pelleting Liquid Applications 
• Optimizing Feed Mill Operations and Moisture Management
• Benchmarking Feed Mill Performance and Profitability
• Implementing Quality Management, Feed Safety and Biosecurity Plans

The course also will provide hands-on training and a facility tour. Additional details and information can be found on the short course registration site and on the ISU Kent Feed Mill website.