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.
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.
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.
Paul and Mike Schweitzer, who farm near Malta, Illinois, chisel hog manure from a neighboring farm in the fall into some of their fields. It's high in potassium, but much less valuable as a source of phosphorous.
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.
Conditions in the U.S., the biggest wheat exporter, are improving after snowstorms increased soil moisture following the worst drought since the 1930s Dust Bowl, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
7 years of strip-till is rewarding Ames, Iowa, farmer Dennis Smith with double-digit yield increases in corn, higher soil-organic matter levels, cooler summer soils and more timely spring planting.
In order to develop variable-rate prescriptions for crop inputs like seed and fertilizer, it is first necessary to delineate fields into regions of distinct yield potential (Butzen, et al., 2012), also known as management zones (MZ).
After strip-tilling corn on soybeans for the first time 6 years ago, Newton, Iowa, farmer Will Cannon tried strip-tilling corn-on-corn in his second season and has continued ever since.
Strip-Till Farmer delivers a mix of features on strip-till farmers, strip-till management topics and trending practices in strip-till. This FREE quarterly print newsletter is available to qualified subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, young no-tillers James Hepp of Rockwell City, Iowa and Joel Reddick of Bardwell, Ky., share their opinions on what it will take for the next generation of farmers to carry the conservation torch.
Environmental Tillage Systems is a leading manufacturer of strip-till and nutrient-management equipment which enhances soil productivity and farm profitability.
Kuhn Krause's focus, above all, is to continue to produce quality products to serve producers better; to strive to respond to their needs with new tools and new technology to meet their growing challenges. Agronomic practices are constantly changing, and at a faster pace now than ever.
For over 90 years, Yetter Farm Equipment has designed and manufactured innovative and effective solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, we are proud to be recognized worldwide as an industry leader in designing row cleaners, strip till tools, planter attachments, precision fertilizer placement attachments, rotary hoes, toolbars, and harvest attachments.