USDA Announces Cut-Off Date for Conservation Funds EAST LANSING, Jan. 5, 2015 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Michigan announced that Feb. 20 is the second cut-off date for applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program in fiscal year 2015.
New full-time project team member position available with an independent non-profit organization working to improve sustainability in agriculture and communities through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and other best practices. The project team member will support the project team in promoting agricultural best practices to reduce phosphorus losses from fields, protecting water quality and soil health in the Great Lakes Basin. Primary duties include research, preparation of technical reports and outreach and communications to ag retailers, growers, and watershed organizations in…
There are many definitions of incorporation tillage. Many years ago it was associated with inversion of the soil. Later it became digging down 8 to 10inches and stirring the soil while taking place with a fertilizer application and in some cases impregnated with herbicide. For lack of a better term, incorporation today may likely mean just mixing the top 3 to 4 inches of soil to make good soil to fertilizer contact while keeping nutrients high in the rooting zone.
Several sessions at the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum – “Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century” – will address landowner options to meet regulatory needs with participation in voluntary conservation programs. Participants in the conservation track of the program will hear from Mr. Jason Weller, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as Chris Hartley from the Office of Chief Economist, USDA. The 2015 forum runs from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Virginia. Plenary…
Today, USDA joins nations from across the globe to kick off the International Year of Soils, an effort to highlight the importance of soil in everyday life. Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie will address members of the 68th United Nations General Assembly, which designated 2015 for the yearlong celebration. Read more.
Fall after harvest is an excellent time for soil sampling and testing. This year, with lower grain prices, many producers may be looking for places to cut costs. However, cutting back on soil testing could result in lowering profits. Read more