Soil Health

From The Desk Of Jack Zemlicka

Don't Be Afraid To Think Outside The Strip

Change isn't always an easy sell to farmers who have relied on the same methodology for years or even decades, especially if they've had success. Farmers tend to rely on the two T's -- tillage and tradition, Minnesota strip-tiller David Legvold told me during a recent visit to his farm. In my opinion, you need to shift away from the traditional, and from practices that are damaging the soil.
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Digging For Data In Strip-Till Uncovers Long-Term Soil Health

Testing soil-nutrient levels with modern technology reduces inputs and boosts corn yields for Minnesota strip-tiller David Legvold.

Gathering and analyzing data on soil health is gradually becoming an integral part of how strip-tillers operate to become better long-term stewards of their land. But without the right guidance or know-how, there’s little advantage to be gained. Minnesota’s David Legvold considers himself lucky to have gotten exposure to the benefits of onfarm research after he began strip-tilling 9 years ago. Through work with educators in the state, and his own ambition, Legvold has reduced input costs, boosted yields and refined his farming philosophy to focus on prolonged soil health.


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Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Due By June 14

The Natural Resources Conservation Service's Conservation Stewardship Program will provide about $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres enrollment this year. Although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forestland owners interested in CSP should submit applications by June 14 to their local NRCS office to ensure they are considered for this year's funding. The deadline was extended from May 31.
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Conservation Practices Work

Currently in West Texas, we are in one of the worst droughts since the 1930's and 1950's. We are now entering the third year of this drought. Recently, I did some research on the drought of the 1930's and 1950's. In my hometown of Plainview, Texas (average annual rainfall = 20.17 inches), our rainfall for 2011 and 2012 was 5.63 and 10.48 inches respectively. In comparison, the two lowest years of precipitation during the 1930's was 10.16 and 13.75 inches in 1933-1934 and for the 1950's was 11.29 and 10.39 inches in 1953-54.
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Video: Modifications To Freshen Up The Strip And Increase Fertility

In the video, strip-till Charlie Hammer of Beaver Dam, Wis., discusses modifications he is making to his Wil-Rich strip till unit, adding Orthman row units to freshen up his strips this spring. A particularly cold winter and spring brings challenges, but Hammer feels they can overcome the cold spring by getting out, building the zone residue-free without a depression to absorb as much heat as possible.
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