Soil

Diversity Above, Below Ground Feeds The Soil And Crop

Polyculture cover cropping has helped no-tiller Gabe Brown increase soil-organic matter, improve crop yields and reduce fertilizer rates on his North Dakota farm and ranch.

By Mark Parker posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

Diversity above the ground leads to robust soil health that powers profitable crop production, says no-tiller Gabe Brown.

Frank Comments

Going ‘Underground’

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 1, 2013

In the 40 years I’ve been tracking no-till, soil biology has never received as much attention as it does today. As no-tillers refine their systems, more are recognizing the importance of doing a better job of managing the millions of critters living under the soil surface.

New Soil Test May Help No-Tillers Pick Covers, Cut Fertilizer Costs

A 24-hour rapid test could help farmers unlock the secret to fertility potential in their soils and make more informed decisions about fertilizer applications.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Nutrient Management

A new method of soil testing that measures the drying and rehydration cycles in farm ground could help no-tillers use fertilizer more efficiently and even choose the best cover crops to seed ahead of the next crop.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

No-Till’s First Curious Neighbor

For Malcolm Oatts, 4 decades of protecting his farm’s topsoil has rewarded him with more fertile fields and higher yields.

By Malcolm Oatts and Martha Mintz posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Equipment

I had the good fortune of commanding a front-row seat to the first toddling steps for no-till farming.

Turning Unwanted Discs Into A No-Till Asset

A Kansas farmer invented a five-sided, vertical-tillage blade that he says puts crop residue in touch with soil microbes but still protects the benefits of no-till.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 1, 2012 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management

When Henry Falk was growing up on his farm, if a piece of machinery — new or used — wasn’t doing the job, his father would haul it to his shop and rebuild it with a torch and welder to make it work better.

No-Till Notes

Locate, Correct Compaction For More No-Till Success

Like any field operation, identifying and addressing compaction layers are important to maximize water infiltration, root growth and crop yields.

By Jim Leverich posted on December 1, 2012 | Posted in Equipment, Soil Health

Compaction can be present in fields for a number of reasons. Normally it’s created when heavy equipment, wagons, trucks, tankers or spreaders make passes on fields when the soil is too wet to hold them. Even heavy planters, tractors or sprayers can cause compaction.

All Roads Lead Back To Soil Health

NRCS soil scientist Ray Archuleta believes promoting healthy no-till soils requires a lot more than just ceasing tillage operations. It means following the lead of nature.

By Mark Parker posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

For no-tillers aiming for sustainable and profitable crop production, optimizing soil health and function is the ultimate endgame, says Ray Archuleta.

Garbage-In, Garbage-Out Soil Sample Data

The advice may vary this year, but a good overall plan for soil data collection and use is a perennial must.

By Martha Mintz posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

Now more than ever before, no-tillers have the ability to compile mounds and mounds of data. But you may need to be careful about gathering too much rope.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Cover Crop ‘Epiphany’ Helps No-Till Take Another Step

A trip to North Dakota a few years ago sparked a new revolution for Curtis Furr’s decades-old no-till system.

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment

My father and grandfather started experimenting with no-till in the late 1960s with the primary goal of stopping erosion. The steep hills we farm would simply wash away when you worked them up.

Frank Comments

For Growers Who Faced A Serious 2012 Drought Situation, No-Till Chalked Up Favorable Results In Comparison With More Intensive Tillage Systems

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 1, 2012

With the drought having a major impact on yields and profits in many areas this year, farmers who no-till likely banked more dollars than neighbors using more intensive tillage practices.

Articles Tagged with ''soil''

Diversity Above, Below Ground Feeds The Soil And Crop

Going ‘Underground’

New Soil Test May Help No-Tillers Pick Covers, Cut Fertilizer Costs

No-Till’s First Curious Neighbor

Turning Unwanted Discs Into A No-Till Asset

Locate, Correct Compaction For More No-Till Success

All Roads Lead Back To Soil Health

Garbage-In, Garbage-Out Soil Sample Data

Cover Crop ‘Epiphany’ Helps No-Till Take Another Step

For Growers Who Faced A Serious 2012 Drought Situation, No-Till Chalked Up Favorable Results In Comparison With More Intensive Tillage Systems

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