We hear about soil health being a tool for things such as sustainability, reduced input costs, and more consistent yields… but how exactly do these benefits unfold? One way that is often overlooked is through reducing runoff and increasing soil moisture availability. As SD farmer Steve Reimer says, “As we started rotational grazing and no-till…
A Minute w/ Jeff Hemenway: Infiltration Test – Part 2 (5/6)
2:45 WATCH: In our last video, we showed the effects of management on infiltration. In this one, we dig a bit deeper and take a look at why that is plus how management changes the underlying structure of our soils!
A Minute w/ Jeff Hemenway: Infiltration Test – Part 1 (4/6)
Does management affect infiltration? In this video, Soil Health Specialist Jeff Hemenway tests the performance of one soil series under two different management practices!
A Brighter Future with Soil Health
“Sustainable” is a word we often overuse. Sure, it has plenty of appeal – a sustainable farming operation is good for the land, wildlife, and future generations. What often gets lost in the message, however, is the benefits of sustainability for the farmer himself in the here and now! The reality is farming “sustainably” does…
A Minute w/ Jeff Hemenway: Slake Test (3/6)
The difference between conventionally tilled and no-tilled soils often gets convoluted…. But not when it comes to the slake test!
A Minute w/ Jeff Hemenway: Soil Organic Matter and Structure (2/6)
Depending on management practices, the same soil series can function very differently. A South Dakota study recently set out to measure this affect and returned with some eye-popping numbers! Management practices from one side of the fence to the other resulted in a difference of 45 tons of organic matter as well as 150,000 gallons of water…
Soil Health Applied – Soil Health and Economics (5/6)
“The farm economy is hard,” says South Dakota soil health advocate Jamie Johnson. “It’s a hard life to make ends meet and [crop] diversity helps keep things even as far as income and expenses… you’re spreading out your risk, you’re spreading out your wealth, and you end up with a higher return.” Less risk? Additional…
Soil Health Applied – Planting Biostrip Covers (4/6)
“Several years ago we were planting our [cover crops] with the drill and we weren’t terribly happy with the placement. We knew there had to be a better way that would work for our operations.” That better way would turn out to be what the Johnsons call their “biostrip“. What is a biostrip? Watch the…
Soil Health Applied – Crop Diversity and Weed Suppression (3/6)
“On our farm we really don’t have a lot of problems with [weeds] and that can be attributed to using the small grains in [our] rotation and keeping it diverse.” Crop diversity is one of the greatest tools a farmer has at their disposal. Hear how Brian and Jamie Johnson continue to experience the benefits…
Soil Health Applied – Small Grain, Covers, & Economics (2/6)
As displayed in our last video, small grains don’t tend to be all that profitable… but Brian and Jamie Johnson swear by them. Find out how these farmers use small grains to increase their corn and soybean yields up to 15%!
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