Topical Reports – Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll

2022

Farmers’ Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Weed and Herbicide Resistance Management – Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll

The 2022 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll (IFRLP) surveyed farmers about their attitudes and behaviors related to weed and herbicide resistance management. This topic was included due to rising concern from agricultural stakeholders regarding a growing body of research documenting increased numbers of weeds that have evolved resistance to one or more classes of herbicide. This report summarizes the findings to help inform strategies to tackle resistance effectively.

2022

Iowa Farmers’ Perspectives on Precision Agriculture – Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll

This report presents data collected through the 2022 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll (IFRLP) on farmer use of and perspectives on precision farming techniques. Precision agriculture(PA) has been defined by the USDA Economic Research Service as “a suite of technologies that may reduce input costs by providing the farm operator with detailed spatial information that can be used to optimize field management practices.

2022

Farmer Perspectives on 4R Plus, Cover Crops, and Soil Health – Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll

This report focuses largely on Iowa farmers’ perspectives regarding a major nutrient management effort called the 4R Plus initiative, a science-based framework designed to guide improved nutrient management among farmers. The initiative is promoted by a coalition of more than 50 public and private agricultural stakeholders and conservation NGOs.

2015

Farmer Perspectives on Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy

This year’s survey contained questions about community vitality, the impacts of COVID-19, renewable energy, carbon markets, perspectives on the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, and use of various media for information and entertainment.

2014

Farmer Perspectives on Pesticide Resistance

Survey results for the 2014 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll concern farmers’ perceptions on pesticide resistance. Questions focused on farmer experience with resistant weeds and rootworms, concern about resistance, use of various resistance management practices, and the perceived effectiveness of those practices.

Iowa Farmers’ Nitrogen Management Practices and Perspectives

The 2012 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll asked farmers about their nitrogen management practices and perspectives. Their responses, detailed in this report, can guide efforts to reduce nutrient loss.

2013

The Role of Farm Families in Local Community Philanthropy

This publication provides a summary of Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll research results on the role of farm families in local community philanthropy.

2011

Attitudes Toward Cover Crops in Iowa: Benefits and Barriers

Learn how research on cover crops as a means toward maintaining and increasing soil productivity, also reduce agriculture’s environmental impacts.

Based on data from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll 2010 Summary Report.

2010

Farmers’ Views on Conservation Funding and Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Amendment

As a supplement to the annual farm and rural life poll, this survey looks specifically at a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution which would create a dedicated fund called the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

Rented Land in Iowa: Social and Environmental Dimensions

Decisions regarding who has access to that land and how it is farmed can influence the social and environmental outcomes of family farming.

See what the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll discovered about rented land in Iowa. Recommendations are suggested to ensure that non-operator landownership is either neutral or beneficial to farm operators, farmland owners, rural communities, and the land itself.

2007

Iowa Farmer’s View on the Bioeconomy

This report on the views of Iowa farmers on the bioeconomy is one of three supplemental publications that expand on the data collected in the 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

Grain Storage and Transportation

This report on grain transportation and storage in Iowa is one of three supplemental publications that expand on the data collected in the 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

Farmer Entrepreneurship

This report on the nature of farm businesses in Iowa is one of three supplemental publications that expand on the data collected in the 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

2004

Quality of Life

Results of the 2004 farm and rural life poll regarding quality of life.

1984

Iowa Farmers’ Opinions about Water

Farm Policy Issues

1983

A Look at Iowa Farm-Reared Children

Iowa Farmers’ Evaluation of Community Services

Educational, Occupational and Residential Patterns of Iowa Farm-Reared Youth

Opinions About Farm Policy

A Look Toward the Future