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December 6, 2019 9:22 am While the benefits of soil health might seem intangible to some, NRCS soil scientist Barry Fisher is very clear about it. “When we talk about soil health, we’re talking about improving the capacity of that soil to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans, no matter the weather conditions or circumstances,” he says. “It’s all about understanding that living ecosystem and working with the land instead of against it.” Read…

December 5, 2019 9:36 am We walk on it, dig into it, and build with it. We depend on it to grow food and clothing, filter water, and support natural ecosystems. Soil is essential to life. Read more.

December 4, 2019 2:07 pm In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, the group discusses precision agriculture and nutrient management. What is the current state of precision agriculture? Which areas can growers benefit the most from incorporating precision ag technologies into current farming systems? Is precision agriculture part of the answer for reducing nutrient loss to ground and surface waters? Read more.

December 2, 2019 11:40 am Much of what is known about specific practices in agriculture has been constructed then modified and sometimes deconstructed altogether. It’s an ongoing process that applies to virtually every cropping practice, from the use of moldboard plows to no till and from planting depth to fertility rates. Cover crops have been studied extensively across many parts of North America. Researchers often use rotations of corn, soybeans and winter wheat underseeded with red clover in their presentations on fertility or…

November 27, 2019 8:14 am A four-year soil study has determined crop farmers can reduce tillage and maintain yields. University of Minnesota Extension educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes says the research focused on several soil types in the Upper Midwest and how crops responded using a chisel, vertical, or strip-till approach. Read more.

November 26, 2019 9:11 am USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky says farmers can play a major role in combating climate change while continuing to feed the world. Read more.