Pesticide Stewardship for Agribusiness in Iowa: Focus on Drift Management

As we move through the heart of the spraying season, now is a good time to remind your employees and contract applicators to review all label requirements and follow state and federal pesticide regulations.

One important step is checking the FieldWatch registry before making pesticide applications. FieldWatch provides online tools to improve communication and awareness between crop producers, beekeepers, seed companies, and pesticide applicators in support of ongoing stewardship activities. 

Here are additional steps ag retailers and growers can take to set themselves and their applicators up for success:

• Scout for Unregistered Sensitive Areas 
• Monitor Wind Speed and Direction 
• Be Mindful of Temperature Inversions 
• Select the Proper Nozzles 
• Use Drift-Reducing Adjuvants 
• Review Endangered Species Act (ESA) Requirements 
• Observe Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) Requirements - https://www.pesticideresources.org/wps/

Pesticide stewardship remains a cornerstone of successful agribusiness operations in Iowa. As commercial applicators, private applicators, and retailers serve the state’s vast corn and soybean acres—along with specialty crops, organic fields, and pollinator habitats—proactive drift management protects neighboring operations, ensures regulatory compliance, safeguards the environment, and maintains strong community relationships.

Help Guide The Industry - Serve On An AAI Committee

The conversations, issues, and interactions of members who participate in committees have a direct influence on the industry. When you share your real world experience, legislators, regulators, and elected officials get the real story. Hearing from other members also helps you stay aware of new challenges before they impact your business, and new opportunities that could benefit your company and your community.

Any leader or employee of a member company can take part in committees.

Agronomy Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Fertilizer, Crop Protection, Seed, Growing Season Issues, Commercial Pesticide Applicators & Application

Animal Science Committee (Feed & Livestock)

• Primary Focus Areas: Feed Milling, Animal Health, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness

Environment Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Water Quality, Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

Grain Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Grain Handling, Grain Storage, Transportation (Truck & Rail), Grain Bin Worker Safety and Regulation, Grain Indemnity Fund

Legislative Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Legislative Solutions, Iowa Agribusiness PAC, Legislative Breakfast, Political Relationship Building

Membership Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Member Engagement And Recruitment, Dues Structure

Showcase Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Event Planning Input, Volunteer Support, Member Interactions, Promotion

Transportation Committee

• Primary Focus Areas: Grain and Fertilizer Transport, Trucking Regulations, Road Restrictions

Committee meetings scheduled for August:

Aug 3 - AAI Showcase Committee Meeting

1:30 p.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room

Aug 5 - AAI Agronomy & Environment Joint Committees Meeting

10:00 a.m. - ISU Finch Farm, Ames

Aug 7 - AAI Membership Committee Meeting

10:00 a.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room

Aug 12 - AAI Legislative Committee Meeting

10:00 a.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room

To serve on a committee, email aai@agribiz.org, call the AAI office at 515.262.8323, or fill out the form online.

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AAI Summer Grain Grading Workshops

Aug. 11 & 12

AAI Member Registration - $130

Non-Member Registration - $155

WORKSHOPS HAVE LIMITED SEATING

The AAI Summer Grain Grading Workshops are scheduled for Aug. 11 in Fort Dodge and Aug. 12 in Altoona.

These workshops provide hands-on experience for identifying what is, and what is not, considered grain damage by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). Participants will spend half of the workshop focused on corn and the other half focused on soybeans. 

Aug. 11

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.



Location:

NEW Cooperative - West Building

2604 1st Ave South

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Lunch is provided.

Aug. 12

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:

Ziegler CAT

1500 Ziegler Drive NW

Altoona, Iowa

Lunch is provided.

Out And About

Member & Industry Visits

• ADM
• Farmers Feed and Grain Co. 
• Nexus Cooperative 

Visits by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

• Brown Fertilizer
• Meridian Manufacturing
• King's Material

Visits by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

Meeting with Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Zach Lahn 

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

Southwest Fertilizer Conference 

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Sally Thompson, AAI Executive Assistant

FFA Foundation 40th Anniversary

Attended by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director

July 22

AAI Golf Outing

9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

Amana Colonies Golf Club - Amana

Aug 3

AAI Showcase Committee Meeting

1:30 p.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room

Aug 5

AAI Agronomy & Environment Joint Committees Meeting

10:00 a.m. - ISU Finch Farm, Ames

Aug 7

AAI Membership Committee Meeting

10:00 a.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room

Aug 12

AAI Legislative Committee Meeting

10:00 a.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room

Aug 26

AAI Golf Outing

10:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

Coldwater Golf Links - Ames