Tag Archives: farmers

25Mar/19

Soil Health Not Just a Trending Topic

March 25, 2019Soil Healthagregates, agriculture, crops, erosion, farmers, farming, soil health, soil organic matter, soil tilth, soilsLeslie Johnson

Many of us take the soil we stand on for granted, including myself. I mean, it’s everywhere – especially on my carpet with 2 boys in my house. However, without soil, we can’t grow crops. Farmers know that soil is a critical part of farming, and making sure that soil can continue to grow crops for many years to come is at the forefront of every farmer’s mind – sometimes without even realizing it.

01Feb/19

Soil Health Events Coming Soon!

February 1, 2019Soil Healthagriculture, cover crops, crops, farmers, farming, nebraska, organic matter, science, soil, soil amendments, soil health, soil organic matter, soil tilth, soils, state of the scienceLeslie Johnson

Soil health conferences in South Dakota and Nebraska will take place on February 14, 2019.

15Nov/18

Time to Assess and Take Stock of Your Soil Health

November 15, 2018Soil Healthagregates, conferences, cover crops, discussions, farmers, farming, science, soilMahdi Al-Kaisi

As the season approaches its conclusion and harvest conditions are most challenging, there are a few things worth remembering to protect and sustain soil health. Consider attending the 2019 Soil Health Conference held on February 4-5.

01May/18

Research demonstrates that animal manures can produce both environmental and productivity benefits over the commercial fertilizer it replaces.

Manure’s Impact on Yield, Nitrogen, and Carbon

May 1, 2018Manurecrops, environment, farmers, farming, literature review, manure benefits, manure value, nebraska, nitrogen loss, soil, soil amendments, soil organic matter, state of the sciencerkoelsch

Manure is often viewed by many as an environmental liability. However, if manure is applied at rates equal to or less than the nitrogen (N) requirement of a crop, can manure produce environmental benefits over commercial fertilizer? This was the focus of an Asian research group which summarized the results of 141 published studies from Asia, Europe, and the U.S. comparing manure substitution for fertilizer. This article summarizes the “Take Home Messages” from this research paper.

02Apr/18

What is your definition for soil health?

April 2, 2018Soil Healthagriculture, farmers, farming, soil, soil health, soilsLeslie Johnson

Over the past several years, state and federal agencies and researchers have been trying to come up with a definition for soil health. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service defines soil healthRead More…

01Aug/17

A recently added aggregate of livestock manure (left) versus a heavy soil aggregate of poor structure on the right.

Soil Organic Matter and Its Benefits

August 1, 2017Manureagregates, agriculture, animal manure management, beef manure, farmers, manure and soil health, manure application, organic matter, soil health, soil organic matter, soil tilthLeslie Johnson

Soils of Northern Great Plains are relatively young (11000 to 14000 years old) and have some of the highest organic matter levels (4 to 7%) of all mineral soils in the United States (Overstreet and DeJong-Huges,Read More…

19Apr/17

Should farmers strive for more organic matter mineralization or stabilization?

April 19, 2017Soil Healthfarmers, farming, manure and soil health, nutrients, organic, soil health, waterHunter Reed

Tunsisa Hurisso and Steve Culman, School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University In short, the answer is usually both. Soil organic matter is a mixture consisting of various compounds (e.g. simple sugars, cellulose, proteins,Read More…

27Feb/17

University Research Based Soil Health Resources No One Should be Without

February 27, 2017Soil Healthagriculture, crops, extension, farmers, soil health, soilsHunter Reed

Extension educators, crop consultants, and farmers working to improve soil health now have practical in the office or in the field resources. The new Iowa Soil Health Management Manual, Field Guide and a Soil Health AssessmentRead More…