John Dobberstein

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Lessons in Water Management from the Delta

By John Dobberstein posted on April 13, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Recently I spent some time driving east from Oklahoma to southeastern Missouri to visit some farmers in the Delta region for our magazine. I’ve heard of some soil erosion problems occurring in the Delta, which includes the Bootheel region of southeastern Missouri where corn, popcorn, cotton, soybeans and wheat are popular.

Plotting a Course to No-Till, Cover Crop Success

With a focus on no-till and cover crops, Virginia grower Robb Hinton has improved soil health and moved into a better position for increased yields.

By John Dobberstein posted on February 15, 2016

If you ask Robb Hinton about what he’s doing on his farm, his answer is he’ll try just about anything.

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.”

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

A Christmas Cover Crop List

By John Dobberstein posted on December 23, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health

Christmas is almost here, and here’s hoping you were able to take care of everyone on your list this year.

New Institute Launched to Help Improve Soil Health

By John Dobberstein posted on December 4, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health

The South Health Institute plans to establish national baselines for soil health, build knowledge of soil-health economics, offer educational programs and coordinate research on the topic.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Writing Is On the Wall

By John Dobberstein posted on November 25, 2015

The latest round of taxpayer funds aimed at the declining Ogallala Aquifer shows why no-tilling, cover crops, precision irrigation and prescription grazing will be extremely important tools for farmers in the years ahead.

Retooled Rotary Hoe Interseeds Cover Crops Into Corn

Outfitted with a Gandy applicator, this 20-foot used rotary hoe successfully interseeded annual ryegrass and hairy vetch into standing corn at the V5 stage.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 14, 2015 | Posted in Seeding Practices

No-Tillers around the Corn Belt are continuing to find innovative ways to interseed cover crops into standing crops earlier in the year.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

More Than What Meets the Eye

By John Dobberstein posted on November 11, 2015 | Posted in Grazing, Soil Health

Cover crop adoption has been a little slower in parts of the Great Plains, possibly more over fear of the unknown than actual poor outcomes seen by growers. But researchers reviewing decades of cover-crop studies say there are plenty of benefits to covers, whether you farm in the warm southern Plains or cooler prairies of western Canada.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

More Possibilities for Cover Crops

By John Dobberstein posted on October 29, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health

Early termination, inclusion of legume species and a little patience might be what's needed to make green manures and cover crops work in the drier areas of the U.S. without dinging yields and profits.