Soil cores, 3 feet deep, taken back in 2011 showed that topsoil (A horizon) was about 4 inches deep. A similar soil core taken 10 years later showed that high organic matter levels (black soil) reached more than 2 feet deep.
The biggest challenge for many growers is that it can take weeks before soils are dry enough to be able to walk fields, let alone drive in with equipment. That means the already short growing season gets shorter, and precious time that could be spent growing a profitable crop is lost.
Earlier this season, a lack of soil moisture across much of the state raised concerns about the potential for successful cover crop establishment this fall. Most areas still need more moisture to recharge the soil profile but recent rains have improved the moisture status overall. This has also improved the likelihood for successful establishment of a cereal rye cover crop this fall. Read more in this article from University of Minnesota Extension.
On Aug. 10, 2020, farmers in central Iowa experienced one of the worst natural disasters to ever affect agriculture. The 2020 derecho event flattened and destroyed corn fields in at least 36 counties. Read more in this article from the Globe-Gazette (Mason City, IA).
The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 12-15, 2027!Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 35th Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Jan. 12-15, 2027. 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.
I'm in Yakima, Washington this week at FIRA USA where there's always lots of great ag technology on display. Why don't we go take a look at the newest edition of the Aigen robot. We'll hear from Kenny Lee, the CEO of Aigen.