Conservation

The radish serves as one of many cover crop options for a no-till operation.

For more than a decade, the Farm Journal Test Plots has varied corn populations and nitrogen rates to respond to natural management zones in the field. In 2012, the crew added variable-rate irrigation to its site-specific farming portfolio.

The Conservation Legacy Award is a national program designed to recognize the outstanding environmental and conservation achievement of soybean farmers, which helps produce more sustainable U.S. soybeans.

Soil health involves chemical, biological and physical aspects. For now, let’s examine how physical aspects can be degraded over time and how you can improve them.

A 60/40 ratio probably makes you think of crop-share lease arrangements. But that ratio takes on new significance in terms of crop production.

Manage soil microorganisms to pave the way to healthier soil and higher yields.

Correct acidity to create diverse microbial populations, which decompose residue and release soil nutrients.

In the field, farmers need to focus on the four Rs of fertility management: the right product, right rate, right time and right place.

You or your neighbors could be unknowingly planting Palmer amaranth anywhere Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) mixes are grown or pollinator mixes are established. Palmer amaranth seed in CRP planting mixes have been identified in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio. It could be in CRP mixes in other states, too, just not identified yet.

Financial health is typically measured in dollars and cents, but that’s not the only standard Bryan Boll uses to evaluate his farm’s well-being. Accruing nutrient-rich soil is just as vital to the future of his operation as hard currency.