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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

Surviving Pigweed Death Struggle with No-Tilling and Cover Crops

On the verge of bankruptcy from herbicide-resistant weeds, Adam and Seth Chappell discovered they could control weeds and slash inputs by embracing conservation practices.

By Laura Barrera posted on September 11, 2018 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Crop Protection, Water Management

Back in 2009, Adam Chappell was at the end of his rope. Trying to control pigweeds on the 9,000-acre farm he shares with his brother, Seth, in Cotton Plant, Ark., was a constant fight. They were making 15 trips across the field in per growing season with sprayers and various tillage equipment, spending anywhere from $100-$200 an acre on weed control.

6 Tips for Flying On Cover Crops Successfully

A pilot explains how a no-tiller’s choice in applicator, cover crop species, rate and timing play important roles in achieving a strong, uniform stand.

By Laura Barrera posted on July 25, 2018 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment

One of the biggest concerns and complaints no-tillers have about aerially seeding cover crops is that it doesn’t result in a good stand.

Proper Plant Analysis Timing Helps Improve Fertility Plans

Soil tests, tissue samples and in-field nutrient sensors can provide valuable information for a no-tiller’s fertility program, but only if the results and recommendations are accurate.

By Laura Barrera posted on June 9, 2018 | Posted in Nutrient Management

When relying on nutrient recommendations from your soil and plant test results to plan your fertility program, do you know how accurate those recommendations are?

Undercutting: Kills Resistant Weeds Without Disturbing Soil Residue

If herbicide-only weed control plans are becoming less effective and more expensive, no-tillers may consider using this minimum tillage tool to keep challenging weeds in check.

By Laura Barrera posted on April 14, 2018 | Posted in Equipment, Crop Protection, Residue Management, Water Management

When herbicides just won’t kill your weeds anymore — and the cost of multiple herbicide applications is no longer economical — what do you do?

Land Rolling Can Drum Up Benefits, ROI for No-Tillers

No-tillers using land rollers to prevent rock damage, improve seed-to-soil contact and smooth fields say the operation is worth the effort.

By Laura Barrera posted on January 13, 2018 | Posted in Equipment

If you ask Colby Johnson about his decision to invest in a land roller, he’ll tell you he wishes he had made the purchase sooner rather than later.

Four Major Impacts Mycorrhizae Has on No-Till Crops

‘Beneficial’ may not be what no-tillers think of fungi, but arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi is capable of protecting and nourishing plants, leading to higher yields for less cost.

By Laura Barrera posted on January 13, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

Just underneath the soil surface are thousands of microorganisms, playing an important role not only in the soil, but the success of the crops planted into them.

Saved Sediment, Covers, Worms Bring No-Till ‘Gold’ to the Surface

Dwight Clary says seeding covers have revved up his Ohio farm by suppressing weeds, taking up nutrients and building organic matter.

By Laura Barrera posted on July 29, 2017 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, No-Till 101

An interest in conservation hit Dwight Clary early in life. When he was 13 years old, one of his 4H projects won a County Conservation Award. The prize? A week at Conservation Camp. That was when he learned about a new practice called “no-till.”

Building a Sustainable Hybrid No-Till, Strip-Till System

From interseeding cover crops to strip-till to adopting precision technology,the Grubbs family is improving their soils and increasing crop yields.

By Laura Barrera posted on July 29, 2017 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Precision Ag, Soil Health

Gerard Grubb admits that one of the reasons he became interested in no-till was because he simply didn’t want to plow. “I’m a lazy man farmer,” he says. “I can’t stand plowing.”

July 2017 Poll: On-Farm Research

By Laura Barrera posted on June 16, 2017 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Residue Management, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Do you conduct on-farm research, and if so, what types of studies have you done or are currently conducting?

Online Extra

Evaluating Herbicide Carryover on Cover Crops

By Laura Barrera posted on June 10, 2017 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

To get a sense of which herbicides can be used before a specific cover crop species and which can’t, Purdue University weed scientist Bryan Young compiled research from the University of Wisconsin, Purdue University, University of Missouri and Penn State University, as well as commercial research conducted by retired University of Illinois Extension agronomist Mike Plumer.

View All Articles by Laura Barrera

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