No-Till Farmer
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GAINING STEAM. Organic food is more than a trend for many farmers across the country. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the market was worth an estimated $52 billion in 2021, an increase of $26.9 billion from 2010.
Organic food is more than a trend for a growing number of farmers across the country. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the market is worth an estimated $52 billion in 2021, an increase from $26.9 billion in 2010.
For those willing to make the transition, chemical-free crop production has the potential for profitable and sus-tainable growth. But what does organic no-till look like? Is it even possible?
Lea Vereecke, an organic consultant and regional manager at Rodale Institute, grew up on a conventionally man-aged small-grains operation in France. Following her college graduation, she worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, overseeing research related to sustainable agriculture. Currently she provides technical assistance to producers, answering these questions and more, and learning alongside those who share her passion for conservation agriculture.
Much of Vereecke’s research addresses the production of corn and soybeans and examines chemical-free systems where planting is done into a cover that has been roller crimped or cut. Ideally, the terminated cover provides both fertilizer and weed control for the crop. Vereecke shares her observations, discussing the essential elements of an organic no-till system.
Seeding rate: Planting to produce adequate biomass is critical, so Vereecke advises planting in seeds per acre.
“Many seed providers can provide you with a seed-per-pound seed count. So 1.5 million seeds per acre, depending on your seed count, can mean anywhere from 68 to 100 pounds. That’s a huge difference. So, I highly encourage you to look at the seeds per…