The Iowa House has passed a $ 43.1 million budget measure for the state Agriculture Department that includes their water quality incentive program.  Roger Wolf, Director of Environmental Programs and Services for the Iowa Soybean Association says that program is a down payment on the nutrient management program passed last year.

Wolf says the state’s farmers have done a great job in using environmentally friendly practices through the nutrient program. He also says the 71 to 27 approval in the House for the Ag budget bill points to likely passage in the Senate.

The $ 43.1 million in the House measure represents a 5.4 percent increase over last year.