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Aug. 14, 2025 Source: Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance news release ANKENY, Iowa - Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) marked a major milestone at its 25th Anniversary Celebration with the official adoption of the 2025 Fertilizer Code of Practice, a voluntary agreement between 12 ag retailers statewide to prohibit sales and application of nitrogen in early fall when conditions make nutrients more volatile. ACWA is a nonprofit made up of ag retailers and related businesses. The Code of Practice has been used all 25 years of ACWA's history. With 413 member locations in 87 of Iowa's 99 counties, the code's voluntary adherence has wide ranging impact. "In the past 10-15 years we have seen wide area adoption of nitrogen stabilizers across Iowa that have been shown to maintain our fall and spring nitrogen in a soil-stable form longer vs a leachable form of nitrogen like nitrate. In doing so, we are managing the nitrogen needs of our corn crop, protecting the environment and ground water and providing a useful application tool for our customers leading to a win-win-win situation" said Eric Scherder - Corteva US CP Technical Lead & ACWA Communication & Outreach Chair. Putting aside competition to benefit the greater good The voluntary agreement is also a statement of commitment and unity by members of ACWA. It shows they are putting community before profit. In the fall after harvest, fertilizer prices are typically cheaper for customers. It's also a period when farmers have more time to apply fertilizer compared to the busy spring season. However, when it is applied too early, warm ground conditions along with bare fields can make nutrients more likely to leach into water. "Over the course of 25 years we as an ag retail community have adopted numerous practices like nitrogen stabilizers, cover crops, reduced tillage the 4R's and many other practices to maximize the nutrients we are applying to be as efficient as possible. The Code of Practice is just one tool we collectively implement to meet these nutrient goals.," said ACWA Board President, Dan Dix. The nonprofit has also raised millions of dollars for on-farm practices, conservation agronomists, and support for conservation adoption. Its leaders have also influenced policy to increase USDA conservation funding nationwide. Details of the science-backed code The 2025 Code of Practice, approved unanimously by ACWA members, sets continued expectations for nitrogen fertilizer management, including: • Delayed fall application until soil temperatures reach 50°F and are trending lower. • Use of 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles. • Use of stabilizers, slow-release fertilizers, and other best-available technologies. • Integration with USDA NRCS 590 Nutrient Management standards. You can read the full code at acwaiowa.com. ACWA members who agree to the code include: • AgState • Central Valley Ag • FCA/Vision Ag LLC • Gold-Eagle Cooperative • Heartland Co-Op • Helena Agri-Enterprises • Innovative Ag Services • Landus Cooperative • NEW Cooperative, Inc • Nutrien Ag Solutions • Pro Cooperative • Van Diest Supply About ACWA Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) is a coalition of Iowa-based agricultural retailers and cooperatives committed to reducing nutrient losses from farm fields through science-based practices, education, and collaboration. Founded in 1999, ACWA supports the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and advances voluntary stewardship to improve Iowa's water quality. Learn more at acwaiowa.com Tweet |
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