University of minnesota

Wayne Fredericks Better-protected-Soil.jpeg

How One Iowa Farmer Reduced His Fertilizer Usage by 30%

Fredericks, who farms just 15 miles south of the Minnesota state line in a very cold climate, points out that what worked for him might not be the best for every single farmer.

By Mackane Vogel posted on November 21, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health, Economics

Wayne Fredericks, a corn and soybean farmer from Osage, Iowa, has been no-tilling soybeans since 1991 and strip-tilling corn since 2001. But ever since he tried using cover crops in 2012, he has been able to reduce his use of fertilizer by 30%.

This Week

Cover Crop Strategies' Best of the Web: July 29, 2022

July 29, 2022

Cover Crop Strategies editors encounter a variety of articles, social media posts, podcasts and videos that offer a unique look at various aspects of our great agricultural industry. Here is our favorite content from the past week. The Best of the Web This Week series is brought to you by Salford Group.

[Podcast] Proper Soil pH an Important Factor for Crop Growth

This week’s podcast, sponsored by NewLeaf Symbiotics, features Daniel Kaiser, Nutrient Management Specialist, University of Minnesota Extension. Kaiser will discuss soil pH values for both corn and soybeans, the range of pH values for optimum crop performance, how growers can adjust their soil pH, and more.

December 1, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

This week’s podcast, sponsored by NewLeaf Symbiotics, features Daniel Kaiser, Nutrient Management Specialist, University of Minnesota Extension. Kaiser will discuss soil pH values for both corn and soybeans, the range of pH values for optimum crop performance, how growers can adjust their soil pH, and more.

[Video] Soil Sampling 101

October 4, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

After harvest is a great time to conduct soil sampling. In this video, Fabian Fernandez, Soil Fertility Specialist with University of Minnesota Extension, demonstrates how to correctly take a soil sample from your field.

[Video] Cover Crop Trials on Annual Ryegrass, Crimson Clover

September 10, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Axel Garcia y Garcia, Associate Professor with the University of Minnesota, shares results from a recent trial conducted using annual ryegrass and crimson clover in corn.

[Podcast] Remember Your Goals When Planting Green

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Liz Stahl, University of Minnesota Extension Educator--Crops. Stahl will discuss the terminating cover crops before planting cash crops, growing biomass before planting green, additional cover crop benefits from planting green, and more.

May 19, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Liz Stahl, University of Minnesota Extension Educator--Crops. Stahl will discuss the terminating cover crops before planting cash crops, growing biomass before planting green, additional cover crop benefits from planting green, and more.

[Video] Building Strong Soil for Healthy Crops

April 9, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

In this video from University of Minnesota Extension, Soil Health Specialist Anna Cates discusses how soil texture determines soil structure, how farming practices change soil structure, why soil aggregates are important, and more.

2 Cover Crops Have Potential to Reduce Nitrate Leaching

November 23, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Research results from a study led by Extension specialist Fabian Fernandez at the Rosholt Research Farm in Westport, Minnesota show data from 2016 to 2019 for two cover crop systems: winter rye and Kura clover living mulch. The farm is in the Bonanza Valley and has an irrigation system. Read more in this press release from the University of Minnesota.

University of Minnesota Researchers Developing Winter Camelina as New Cash Cover Crop

November 9, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: The Minnesota Daily

Newly planted winter camelina seedlings sprout in little green rows at the University of Minnesota field plots on the St. Paul campus. The winter annual plant is one of 15 breeds University researchers are cultivating to help farmers keep nutrients in their soil, reduce erosion and create a commercially viable product for farmers to sell. Read more in this article from The Minnesota Daily.