Organic matter

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

30 Years Of Cover Crops Anchor No-Till System

Sharp increases in organic matter and vasity reduced fertilizer cost are just a couple of the benefits that David Brandt has realized on his Ohio farm.

By David Brandt and Ron Ross posted on December 1, 2008 | Posted in Cover Crops

When I planted my first cover crop — cereal rye — in 1978 to control erosion on poorly drained, hilly clay soils, I had no idea what the full ramifications of that decision would be. Since then, cover crops have become the anchor of a diverse crop rotation in our continuous no-till system.

Build Organic Matter With Diverse Cropping Rotations

Continuous no-till, along with winter wheat, field peas, proso millet and a CANULA cover crop, raised organic-matter levels and led to better water infiltration for this Nebraska no-tiller.

By Darrell Bruggink posted on October 1, 2008 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

Randy Rink used to have the typical Midwestern crop operation. He rotated corn and soybeans. With this 2-year rotation, Rink would disc corn stalks once in the fall, and plant soybeans in the spring. The next year, he would no-till corn into soybean residue.

Is Tillage OK Once Every 10 Years?

There are better ways than moldboard plowing to reduce potential phosphorus runoff in no-tilled fields, experts say.

By Darrell Bruggink posted on June 1, 2008 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Is there a benefit to moldboard plowing a no-till field once every 10 years? A recent article, “Changing Tillage, Changing Nutrient Management,” in the Spring 2008 issue of Plant Nutrition Today suggested that continuous no-till can lead to accumulation of phosphorus (P) at the soil surface, causing higher P concentrations in runoff.

Managing Carbon Improves Soil Organic Matter And Yields

Dwayne Beck offers insights about ways crop residue can lead to healthier soils and greater crop production for the long run.

By Ron Perszewski posted on October 1, 2007 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Dwayne Beck Puts It Simply: “No-till is not about a lack of tillage, it’s about carbon management. Not doing tillage is only the beginning.”

Worms And Tile Lines Combine To Create Runoff Problems

Although still beneficial to no-tilled fields, earthworms create burrows that funnel contaminants through tile lines to waterways.

By Ron Perszewski posted on February 1, 2006 | Posted in Soil Health, Water Management

To avoid contamination of nearby waterways, no-tillers should not apply liquid manure to their fields when a tile line is flowing, according to a USDA researcher.

Our Soil, Our Life

No-tilling helps this Wisconsin couple improve soil quality and preserve it for future generations.

By Frank Lessiter posted on February 1, 2006 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

While most Corn Belt no-tillers grow only corn and soybeans, Charlie Hammer prefers a three-way rotation. The operator of Hammer & Kavazanjian Farms with his wife Nancy Kavazanjian at Beaver Dam, Wis., prefers a no-till rotation evenly split between corn, soybeans and wheat in the farm’s 2,300-acre operation.

Recognizing The Value Of Carbon Holds Key To Future Agriculture

No-tiller says carbon provides measurable economic benefits, but soils are being depleted, threatening the productivity of U.S. farming while government policies support ground-killing tillage.

By Ron Perszewski posted on February 1, 2006 | Posted in Residue Management, Soil Health

It's easy to tell that no-tiller Jim Kinsella is passionate about soil carbon.

No-Till’s Greatest Allies

If you’re wondering how earthworms might be doing in your no-tilled soils, this researcher may surprise you with his results.

January 1, 2005 | Posted in Soil Health

Earthworms are nature’s tillers and their presence is a key component in successful no-tilling. But how many do you have? And how many do you want?

Eyeballing Organic Matter

Simple tests can help you see the improvements in organic matter due to no-tilling.

By Dave Ernst posted on October 1, 2003 | Posted in Soil Health

You can eyeball how much organic matter there is in your soil, says Jill Clapperton, a Canadian soil microbiologist at the Lethbridge Research Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. Take a sample of the soil in an old can, mix it with water and shake well.

No-Till Cover Crops Are Worth The Extra Effort

Under drought conditions, cover crops have boosted no-till corn yields as much as 100 bushels per acre.

By Lynn Grooms posted on July 1, 2003 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

While no-tilling with cover crops requires more management than straight no-till, the extra effort may be worth it, especially in dry years, maintains Mike Plumer.

Articles Tagged with ''organic matter''

30 Years Of Cover Crops Anchor No-Till System

Build Organic Matter With Diverse Cropping Rotations

Is Tillage OK Once Every 10 Years?

Managing Carbon Improves Soil Organic Matter And Yields

Worms And Tile Lines Combine To Create Runoff Problems

Our Soil, Our Life

Recognizing The Value Of Carbon Holds Key To Future Agriculture

No-Till’s Greatest Allies

Eyeballing Organic Matter

No-Till Cover Crops Are Worth The Extra Effort

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