Partnership for Ag Resource Management – Ag Retailers Driving Stewardship and Sustainability

How To Start the Conservation Discussion on Rented Ground

February 12, 2020 8:55 am

Starting no-till, cover cropping or any other conservation-minded practice takes time, research and effort, and for farmers who rent land, it might not seem worth it when the land could switch hands the next year. What would it mean to your operation if you could convince your landlord of the value of long-term conservation?

“Often times I hear from both landowners and tenant questioning how to incorporate specific conservation practices into leases,” says Angie Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State University Extension field agronomist. “The first step to take is for both parties to meet and have an open discussion about the goals of including specific practices.” Read more.

Western Iowa Farmer Utilizes Technology to Improve Soil Health

February 6, 2020 9:16 am

Pottawattamie County farmer Adam Gittins uses precision ag tools to farm more efficiently. This is important to him since he works full time as the general manager for HTS Ag. The data he gathers on his farm has led to soil health improvements that have long-term financial benefits. Read more.

How Conservation Can Ready Soils for Planting After Tough Weather

February 6, 2020 9:13 am

On his Ethan, South Dakota farm, Matt Bainbridge planted just 15% of his acres in 2019—the rest were swallowed up by prevent plant. That’s the most prevent plant acres he’s ever had, and it turned all his careful pre-season planning upside down.

For the 2019 planting season, farmers in the Midwest were no stranger to the crippling impacts of heavy rainfall, flooding and unseasonable temperatures on crop yields. May 2018 to April 2019 was the wettest 12-month period ever recorded in United States history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read more.

MN FARMER REDUCES EROSION WITH COVER CROPS AND ROTATION

February 6, 2020 9:10 am

A southeastern Minnesota farmer is using cover crops and crop rotation to reduce soil erosion and increase yield.

Brock Olson, a corn and soybean grower from Welch, tells Brownfield he’s going into year three of a research project supported by the Minnesota Corn Growers. Read more.

Phosphorus fertilizer application only needed every other year in corn-soy rotation

February 4, 2020 9:01 am

In pursuit of maximum yields in two-year corn-soy rotations, some farmers are now applying phosphorus (P) fertilizer every year. A 10-year study by University of Minnesota scientists that ended in 2018 says that practice is likely unnecessary. Instead, farmers only need to apply P fertilizer the fall or spring before corn in order to maximize yields for both crops. Read more.

Corn nutrient and pest management workshop

February 3, 2020 9:30 am

As the 2020 crop production season approaches, producers are beginning to wonder what it will have in store for their fields. There are a few givens. One is that to get optimum production, they will need to properly manage nutrients. Another is that there will be pests which negatively affect crops in many different ways.