Consideration for Tillage Decision this Fall After Drought
ICM News
The dry, warmer-than-normal growing season this year presents significant challenges for managing soil and crop residue this fall.
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Residue management consideration for this fall
Blog Post
Managing residue and tillage this fall can be a challenge given the volume of residue due to downed corn by high winds and drought. There is a tendency to think about tillage as the first option in managing a high volume of crop residue. The impact of residue incorporation with tillage on soil health and water quality has been demonstrated to be significant.
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Let's Talk No-till
ICM News
Late harvest and the rush to get grains out of the fields may present an opportunity to rethink the need for tilling fields this fall or not. The question to ask is, “Do I need to till this fall?” Given the economic and environmental challenges farmers are facing, the answer in most cases is no. With harvest under way, now is a good time to start thinking about this decision.
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The Economics of Soil Health
ICM News
The term “economics of soil health” has been used frequently in an attempt to quantify and validate the value of improving soil health. The traditional thinking about assigning dollar values to soil health metrics, which are many, can be very challenging and it is easier said than done.
One of the challenges in putting a dollar value on soil health is that the improvement in health is a long-term process. Expecting an immediate economic return can defeat the purpose of the long-term sustainability of soil health and its cumulative effects on soil productivity.
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Farmers, scientists and industry to speak at 2017 Soil Health Conference
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The second annual Soil Health Conference will be held in Ames, Iowa at the Scheman Building at Iowa State University on February 16-17, 2017.
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Soil Health Benefits for Sustaining Crop Production
ICM News
The benefits of healthy soil in sustaining crop production are most evident when growing conditions are less than ideal. Healthy soils increase the capacity of crops to withstand weather variability, including short term extreme precipitation events and intra-seasonal drought. The extreme drought in 2012 resulted in variable yield reduction to corn and soybean production in Iowa with the worst impact on fields with conventional tillage systems (i.e., chisel plow, deep ripping, etc.).
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Protect Your Investment by Eliminating Tillage and Keeping Residue
ICM News
This fall, field observations with significant amounts of intensive tillage and residue removal provide an opportunity to rethink such practices by considering research proven practices such as no-tillage (NT) and strip-tillage (ST), which have demonstrated their effectiveness in many parts of the state and across the Midwest.
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Earn Soil and Water CCA Credits at the Soil Health Conference on February 2-3, 2016
Blog Post
The upcoming soil health conference in Ames, Iowa, February 2-3, 2016 is fast approaching. This Inaugural Soil Health Conference will provide a unique opportunity to Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) who are seeking soil and water credits. The conference has been approved for a total of 17 soil and water credits during the two days.
A wide range of topics addressing principles and management practices that are essential for building soil health and productivity will be covered by well-established scientists from ARS-USDA and land-grant universities.
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Learn about building healthy soils in Iowa at the Soil Health Conference in February
Blog Post
By: Mahdi M Al-Kaisi
The Inaugural Soil Health Conference “Strategies for Building Healthy Soils” will be February 2-3, 2016 at the Scheman Building in Ames, Iowa. The goal of this conference is to increase awareness and understanding of soil health as a pivotal measure to sustainable agriculture and environmental quality in Iowa.
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Inaugural Iowa Soil Health Conference Coming in February 2016
ICM News
Conference will be held to increase awareness and understanding of soil health in Iowa
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