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No-Till Improves Near-Surface Soil Properties

September 3, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

Near-surface soil aggregate structural properties, such as aggregate size distribution, stability, strength and wettability, determine the extent to which a soil will erode under water or wind erosive forces.

Take The Pressure Off Your No-Till Soils

Ag engineer Randy Raper offers some helpful hints for no-tillers wanting to tread more lightly for compaction prevention and management.

By Martha Ostendorf posted on September 1, 2009 | Posted in Equipment, Soil Health

Some things, like coal, do their best work under pressure; soils, however, do not. Compaction causes a laundry list of troubles, including ponding water, reduced nutrient availability, erosion, poor root development and the list goes on.

Potassium Deficiency Symptoms Showing Up In Northern Plains

August 7, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: North Dakota State University Agriculture Communication

North Dakota State University has received reports of potassium (potash) deficiency symptoms in soybeans, according to R. Jay Goos, professor of soil science.

Uncertainty, Poor Economy Plaguing Carbon Credit Prices

August 7, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

Farmers enrolled in a program that rewards them for reducing greenhouse gasses are finding the market for their carbon credits has shrunk amid the recession and uncertainty about climate legislation being crafted by Congress.

First-Time Soybean Fields May Not Nodulate Properly

August 7, 2009 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Horst Bohner, a no-till soybean specialist from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs, says a number of first-time soybean fields that were inoculated this year did not nodulate properly.

Soil Amendments May Be Missing Piece Of The Production Puzzle

Soil amendments work in harmony with other inputs to increase water infiltration, correct compaction and maximize crop production.

By Martha Ostendorf posted on August 1, 2009 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

If only farming were as easy as poking a seed in the ground in the spring and harvesting a bumper crop in the fall. The more we learn about farming, however, the more we realize what a science it actually is - and a complex one at that!

Better Soils, Fertility Management Give Indiana No-Tiller Better Results

Gypsum, drainage and a wiser approach to fertility have improved soil biology and corn and soybean yields for Jack Maloney.

By Darrell Bruggink posted on August 1, 2009 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Jack Maloney used to be your typical farmer when it came to managing soil and fertility. He relied heavily on his local co-op for recommendations — after all, their agronomists had spent years in school studying science, chemistry and biology.

Iowa Farmer Proves To Himself That No-Till Works

While no-till was a no-brainer on highly erodible land, Nate Ronsiek proved through field trials that it would yield on challenging bottomland soils.

By Loretta Sorensen posted on July 1, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

Highly erodible soils shaped into gently rolling hills seemed to Nate Ronsiek like the perfect place to implement the no-till farming practices he learned as a student at Kansas State University. Ronsiek started developing his no-till plan in 2005 when he began taking over the family farm outside Hawarden in northwest Iowa.

Montana No-Tiller Found Getting ‘Lazy’ Worked

Arnold Gettel first tried no-till in 1969 and has seen soil structure and dryland yields improve as a result.

By Martha Ostendorf posted on April 1, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

“Years ago, I got lazy,” jokes Montana no-tiller Arnold Gettel of why he first tried no-till. While fewer hours in the tractor seat was a legitimate appeal for Gettel, the economical benefits are really what drove the transition.

No-Till Or Not — Compacted Soils Compact Profitability

These simple tips can help no-tillers identify, prevent and remedy soil compaction before it makes a dent in their yields.

By Phil Needham posted on February 1, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

As farm equipment gets larger and heavier, yield loss and profit reduction caused by soil compaction is becoming more frequent. Fortunately, growers adopting no-till systems reduce the number of passes across each field and the overall risk of compaction.

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