Soil Health - Articles

Guest Viewpoint

Mother Nature: Master of Plant Production

By Chuck Markley posted on March 16, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

We all know that no-till management can never be a “one-size-fits-all” entity. No-till is just one tool in our growing toolbox to better manage our soils for crop production. It’s certainly one of the best tools, because the master of all plant production — Mother Nature — uses it!

Alfalfa, Cereal Rye Bring Added Benefits to Long-Term No-Till

Milledgeville, Ill., no-tiller Norm Deets finds alfalfa helps speed up the transition to no-till and cover crops hold and build soil in areas prone to erosion.

By Laura Barrera posted on March 14, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Being the “scourge” of the neighborhood was one of the biggest challenges Norm Deets faced when he started no-tilling. But after 30 years of committing to the practice, he knows the benefits outweigh the nice look of perfectly tilled soils.

Using Cover Crop Benefits As a Primer for Cold Cash

Shenandoah, Iowa, no-tiller Chris Teachout says cover crops are fortifying soils and boosting yields in his non-GMO, corn-soybean rotation.

By Julia Debes posted on March 14, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Chris Teachout compares his cover crop philosophy to taking a new gun out on a bear hunt: No hunter uses a new gun on the big hunt without practicing with it first to work out all the kinks.

Extra Cover Crop Growth Prior to Soybeans Provides Benefits

March 10, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Iowa State University Extension

A study in Iowa funded by the United Soybean Board found that winter cereal rye that grew an extra 3 weeks prior to soybeans produced about 300-400% more biomass, with a 100% increase in nitrogen retention.

Reaching Beyond Equipment for No-Till Success

By Jim Steiert posted on March 9, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Cover crops, pollinator strips and compost are among the tools Kelly Kettner uses to improve organic matter and stretch irrigation resources on his 5,000-acre operation in the Texas Panhandle.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Extended No-Till Rotations, Cover Crops Rack Up Cost Savings

Chuck Zumbrun counts herbicides, insecticides and traited seed among inputs he’s slashed significantly by adding wheat and cover crops to his rotation.

February 15, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

I’ve found with many of my endeavors in no-till that I’d implement a practice for one reason, only to reap unexpected benefits and switch gears to further pursue those benefits. This applies to no-till itself, too.

Researchers Believe Annual Ryegrass Key to Breaking Fragipan

January 27, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

University of Kentucky soil scientists have found that annual ryegrass ryegrass and some chemical combinations appear to break down the soil fragipan that limits crops’ yield potential.

Lean, ‘Green’ No-Tilling Machine

Double-cropping, ‘planting green’ and adding precision technology is helping no-tiller David Black reduce erosion and boost crop yields.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 11, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Having started no-tilling more than 40 years ago, David Black has seen soil health and yields continue to improve. But getting there was, at times, a test of faith.

Banking Water, Fixing Soils Yield a No-Till ‘Green Up’

Rotational grazing, no-till practices and diverse cover crop mixes are the recipe to healthier soils for Leedey, Okla., no-tiller Jimmy Emmons.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 11, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

When Jimmy Emmons talks about the major changes he’s making to his farm, he feels compelled to explain that his father and grandfather, “did the best they could do with the equipment they had.”