Home / Authors / Laura Barrera

Laura Barrera

Laura Barrera is the former managing editor of No-Till Farmer and Conservation Tillage Guide magazines. Prior to joining No-Till Farmer, she served as an assistant editor for a greenhouse publication. Barrera holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Ball State University.

Articles

ARTICLES

2014_Corn_Population_Study_—_Income_Minus_Seed_Costs.jpg

5 On-Farm Studies Help No-Tiller Measure Profitability and Calculate ROI

No-till veteran Marion Calmer explains how on-farm research has helped him determine the best row spacings, seeding populations, fertility and residue management programs for maximum profitability.

By Laura Barrera posted on May 2, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Residue Management, Nutrient Management

When Marion Calmer bought his first farm back in the 1980s, a quote attributed to British mathematician Lord Kelvin was top of mind: “We can’t improve on things we don’t measure or research.”

7 Strategies for Reducing Slug and Vole Problems

No-tillers can battle these two pests with scouting, sound planting practices, strategic cover crop management, the right field equipment and some help from predators.

By Laura Barrera posted on March 30, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection, No-Till Farming 101

While there are many benefits to long-term no-till and cover cropping, unfortunately, it is also a very stable environment for slugs and voles.

Focus on Biology for Better Soil Health

By Laura Barrera and Mark Parker posted on March 12, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Residue Management, Nutrient Management, Soil Health, No-Till Farming 101

For farmers aiming for sustainable and profitable crop production, optimizing soil health and function is the ultimate endgame.

Strategies for Addressing Site-Specific Problems with Variable-Rate Seeding and Fertilizer

Kentucky no-tiller Mark Chapman shares his approach and best practices for implementing variable-rate technology to push yields in the places where it matters most.

By Laura Barrera posted on February 25, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Precision Ag

For decades Mark Chapman was aware of the differences within his fields but was unable to do anything about it. But that all changed once he was able to bring GPS onto the farm.

Should You Rely on Technology to Guide Your Nitrogen Decisions?

A soil scientist explains the accuracy of different nitrogen advisory tools, their limitations, and whether they’re likely to provide a return on investment.

By Laura Barrera posted on November 3, 2020 | Posted in Nutrient Management

NITROGEN (N) IS ONE of the biggest influencers on corn yield. In fact, University of Illinois plant physiologist Fred Below called it the second most important factor in his “Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World,” ranked just behind weather.

9 Tips for Succeeding with Cover Crops in the South

Four South Carolina growers share why they started cover cropping, the challenges they’ve faced and how the practice is helping them improve their soils.

By Laura Barrera posted on August 5, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

Jason Carter was always told that you can’t improve your soil organic matter in South Carolina. “You’re right, without cover crop, you can’t,” says the Eastover, S.C., no-tiller.

Should You Rotate Your Cover Crops? 4 Issues to Consider

Some covers planted back to back, year after year, can cause problems for no-tillers with root and soil diseases if selection and timing isn’t carefully managed, says Dave Robison.

By Laura Barrera posted on January 26, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

Growers probably know crop rotation is a good thing as it helps prevent pests and disease, improves soil health and reduces fertilizer inputs — all of which can boost crop yields and the bottom line.

Diversifying Crops and Livestock Saves Soil While Boosting Profitability

Gail Fuller learned it takes more than no-till to see a change in soil health, and since losing his crop insurance, he’s no longer focused on chasing yields for commodities, but building healthy soil for healthy foods.

By Laura Barrera posted on December 29, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Gail Fuller has always been driven by erosion. He decided to give no-till a try not long after he began farming full-time in the 1980s, because he hated seeing soil leave his farm in Emporia, Kan., where slopes range from 1-5%.

Feeding the Soil Brings Dramatically Positive Results

At a soil health conference at Clemson University in October 2019, Doug Newton, a no-tiller from Clio, S.C., sat down with West Union, Iowa, no-tiller Loran Steinlage and discussed their experiences with no-tilling, cover cropping and creating fertility with plants.

By Laura Barrera posted on December 27, 2019 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

Doug Newton, a no-tiller from Clio, S.C., sat down with West Union, Iowa, no-tiller Loran Steinlage and discussed their experiences with no-tilling, cover cropping and creating fertility with plants.

11 Tips for Getting Started with Cover Crops

With two decades of cover cropping experience under his belt, Illinois farmer Adam Dahmer shares his advice and suggestions for those new to the practice.

By Laura Barrera posted on October 31, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Crop Protection

Adam Dahmer was born into a farming operation in Marion, Ill., that was already 100% no-till 3 years before he was born.

View All Articles by Laura Barrera

Current Issue

No-Till Farmer

Get full access NOW to the most comprehensive, powerful and easy-to-use online resource for no-tillage practices. Just one good idea will pay for your subscription hundreds of times over.

Subscribe Now

Soil Microbes Prefer Crop Variety

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: No-Till, Interseeding and Cover Crops Help Activate Malfunctioning Soils

Heavy Rains Help No-Tiller Promote Practice to Vegetable Processor

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

How to Calibrate a No-Till Grain Drill

Don't waste seed — or time — speculating whether or not your no-till grain drill is seeding at the right rate. Learn this easy way to calibrate your drill every time you use it.

Events

Northern Soil Compaction Conference

Date: 06/22/21

Location:

Do you feel like soil compaction is squeezing your yields? Are you wondering what you can do about it? The University of Minnesota Extension is proud to partner with Manitoba Ag and Resource Development and North Dakota State University to bring you the Northern Soil Compaction Conference.

View Event

More Events

Top Directory Listings

Needham Ag Technologies, LLC

Needham Ag understands the role of technology in making better use of limited resources within a specific environment by drawing on a wealth of global experience to overcome the challenges facing today's farmers, manufacturers and dealers.

Titan International, Inc

Titan offers a full line of wheels, tires and undercarriage products for a wide variety of off-the-road equipment.

The Andersons PureGrade

The Andersons grows enduring relationships through extraordinary service, a deep knowledge of the market, and a knack for finding new ways to add value as we have done for nearly 70 years.