John Dobberstein

Tips for Better Management of Cereal Rye in Corn, Soybeans

Termination timing, planting depth, seed-to-soil contact and armyworm control are important considerations in making rye the most useful tool for no-till systems.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 16, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Termination timing, planting depth, seed-to-soil contact and armyworm control are important considerations in making rye the most useful tool for no-till systems.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

What Cover Crops Can Do for Your Grain Sorghum

By John Dobberstein posted on September 13, 2017 | Posted in Soil Health

Studies about cover crops from many of the semi-arid Great Plains have been cautionary or conditional, owing to potential concerns about soil moisture or nutrient use from covers seeded ahead of cash crops.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Putting No-Till Faith to the Test

With all the bad press of late about farming systems failing, it's nice to see stories about growers seeking out no-till and regenerative farming practices as the solution.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 23, 2017 | Posted in Soil Health

With all the bad press of late about farming systems failing, it's nice to see stories about growers seeking out no-till and regenerative farming practices as the solution.

Demystifying Cover Crops Part 2

Seed Labs a Critical Link in Ensuring Cover Crop Quality

No-tillers can be better informed about their seed purchases by requesting and reading the testing lab’s ‘report of analysis’ and learning more about testing rules.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 19, 2017 | Posted in Soil Health

No-tillers can be better informed about their seed purchases by requesting and reading the testing lab’s ‘report of analysis’ and learning more about testing rules.

Viable Option for Seeding Covers on Smaller No-Till Operations

Using inexpensive ground-drive and hydraulic equipment with dry fertilizer boxes, Jeremy Henry seeds a variety of cover crops during harvest to boost no-till success.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 19, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Economics

Using inexpensive ground-drive and hydraulic equipment with dry fertilizer boxes, Jeremy Henry seeds a variety of cover crops during harvest to boost no-till success.

Cultivating a No-Till ‘State of Mind’

Measured fertilizer applications, copious amounts of residue and dogged determination have all helped Leon Sowers improve the diversity and viability of his Kansas operation.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 19, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Measured fertilizer applications, copious amounts of residue and dogged determination have all helped Leon Sowers improve the diversity and viability of his Kansas operation.

Putting Faith in No-Till into Action

Tom Cannon has turned around his family’s farm by parking the plow, increasing rotational diversity and bringing livestock back into the picture.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 29, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing

Tom Cannon has turned around his family’s farm by parking the plow, increasing rotational diversity and bringing livestock back into the picture.

Demystifying Cover Crops Part 1

Lifting the Curtain on Cover Crop Seed

One in four growers cite problems with poor germination, contamination or other issues, mostly due to lax rules enforcement and supply-and-demand challenges seen in a young industry.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 29, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices

One in four growers cite problems with poor germination, contamination or other issues, mostly due to lax rules enforcement and supply-and-demand challenges seen in a young industry.

Protecting Soils with No-Till in a Colder Northern Climate

Jerry Morical is showing no-till practices can work in a frigid region of the U.S. as he interseeds cover crops into corn and reaps the benefits of mellower soils.

By John Dobberstein posted on February 11, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

For decades, Jerry Morical has made a living raising crops in the hilly, sandy loam soils near Garfield in western Minnesota. But his small farm also lies within a recreational haven, surrounded by the Chippewa River watershed and dozens of small lakes.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein