Articles by Mark Watson

Power of Legumes, Part 3

Five fields sampled for biological diversity and measured with the Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PFLA) test showed some interesting results.

By Mark Watson posted on December 23, 2015 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

On our farm we sampled five fields for biological activity this fall. We waited to sample the fields until the middle of September. The reason we waited was to get some rain so we could get our probe in the ground. We also figured moisture may increase the amount of biological activity.

Soil Health: The Next Big Step in Agriculture

Farmers must adopt conservation agricultural practices to begin building the environment for healthier soil microbes.

By Mark Watson posted on December 9, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health

As you look back through agriculture there have been some real turning points. Agriculture saw the first real leap into production agriculture in our country with the Industrial Age, when mechanized agriculture really changed the face of our country. Larger and larger farms were created as it became possible to produce crops on many more acres.

More About Drilling Edible Beans

Grazing corns talks ahead of drilling edible beans is a good idea to manage residue and ensure better stands.

By Mark Watson posted on November 25, 2015 | Posted in Residue Management, Seeding & Planting

Last time I wrote about how we drilled our edible bean crop this year in 7.5-inch rows with an air seeder. Prior to last fall we had been planting our beans in 15-inch rows with a planter.

No-Till Notes

Drilling Edible Beans and Lessons Learned

By Mark Watson posted on November 11, 2015 | Posted in Residue Management, Seeding & Planting

Last fall we drilled our edible bean crop, rather than planting them with a planter as we’ve done for the last several years. I think we learned a few lessons that I would like to share with you.

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