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John Dobberstein
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.
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John Dobberstein
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.
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From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Reasons to Revisit Cover Crops

By John Dobberstein posted on August 13, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health
It looks like the cover-crop movement continues to build steam in the U.S., as growers are seeding them to reduce erosion, fix or scavenge nutrients, improve soil biological activity and the like.
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Cover Crops, Manure Key to Farm’s No-Till Evolution

Gordon and Jeff Smiley are finding quick success with a one-two nutrient punch from fall manure application and cover-crop cocktails.
By John Dobberstein posted on July 23, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health
Having no-tilled soybeans for many years, Gordon and Jeff Smiley faced a more difficult task 4 years ago, switching to no-tilled corn instead of holding on to their conventional system.
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Making Cover Crops Work in a Cooler No-Till Climate

Iowa no-tiller Roger Harrington has seen his share of challenges with covers, but has found a combination that saves soil, adds nitrogen and reduces erosion and weed pressure.
By John Dobberstein posted on May 18, 2015
Like many no-tillers, Roger Harrington likes seeding cover crops to improve organic matter, fix nitrogen (N) in the soil and reduce erosion, weed pressure and compaction.
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8 Keys to Help No-Tillers Manage Annual Ryegrass

No-tillers just starting to use annual ryegrass should follow a few simple rules to take advantage of this cover crop’s compaction-busting, nitrogen-scavenging benefits.
By John Dobberstein posted on February 12, 2015 | Posted in Seeding Practices
With its prolific root system and economical price tag, annual ryegrass is one of the most popular cover crops no-tillers have at their disposal. It’s also gotten a bad rap for being tough to manage, says Dan Towery.
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The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 9-12, 2024! Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 32nd Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Ind. Jan. 9-12, 2024. Experience an energizing 4-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led No-Till Classrooms and collaborative No-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.

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New FAA Exemption: Efficiency Boost or Safety Hazard?

New FAA Exemption: Efficiency Boost or Safety Hazard?

The Federal Aviation Administration recently granted a regulation exemption that will allow 1 person to operate 3 drones in a swarm. While some see this as a big win from a productivity standpoint since it has the potential to make cover crop drone seeing more efficient, others see it as a massive safety concern.

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