Livestock integration is a serious tool to offset financial risk. If we aren’t using it, we’re missing out on a litany of benefits! Does this mean it doesn’t come with it’s own concerns, though? No! Pugging and compaction, fencing, water, and for some, a shortage of livestock can be serious obstacles to overcome. As Doug…
Integrated Systems w/ Doug Sieck – No-till and Equipment (4/7)
Here’s the reality: a transition to no-till is most likely going to require a change in equipment – but the role of equipment is no the only consideration As Doug Sieck says in our latest video, “The equipment is important (to get started), but at a certain point, the more important part becomes how are…
Integrated Systems w/ Doug Sieck – Alternative Views of Soil (3/7)
Let’s not beat around the bush — transitioning from conventional tillage to no-till can be tough. Throw diverse rotations, cover crops, and grazing livestock into the mix and it can feel downright overwhelming. The fact is, there are equipment changes, steep learning curves to climb, and mindset changes that need to happen for this to…
Integrated Systems w/ Doug Sieck – Holistic Mindset (2/7)
When it comes to farming, “holistic” is often a word that gets a bad wrap. Walworth County farmer Doug Sieck knows this first hand. He had his own reservations when it came to the term, but that has all changed. In the second video in our 7-part series, Doug shares with us his insights on…
Integrated Systems w/ Doug Sieck – Intro (1/7)
In 2007, Doug Sieck of Walworth County, SD began his soil health journey. A little over a decade later, his soils , his operation, and his mindset have all transformed. In this 7-part series, Doug shares with us his eye-opening journey into soil health, how to make the transition easier, and why we all should…
SD Cropcast 02: Dwayne Beck
15 Trillion Laborers w/ Dr. Mike Lehman – Community (3/3)
3:15 WATCH: In our previous video, Research Microbiologist Dr. Mike Lehman described soil microbes in healthy soils as a “division of labor.” This “division of labor” is extensive and, when cultivated through regenerative practices, works alongside the farmer. In our third and final video, Dr. Lehman takes it a step further and shows us that these…
15 Trillion Laborers w/ Dr. Lehman – Division of Labor (2/3)
3:30 WATCH: If the soil health movement has taught us one thing it’s that healthy soils produce healthy crops. But when we say “healthy soils” what does that actually mean? Well… in short, it means THEY’RE ALIVE! In the second video of our three-part series with Dr. Mike Lehman, we dive head first into the…
15 Trillion Laborers (Microbes) w/ Dr. Lehman – Intro (1/3)
We met with Research Microbiologist Dr. Mike Lehman (ARS) on the research station in Brookings, South Dakota to talk soil microbes. Dr. Lehman isn’t just a well-respected scientist, it turns out that he’s also a great communicator. In this and the next two videos, Dr. Lehman takes a shovel full of soil and talks about…
Merit or Myth: Season 2
In our first Merit or Myth season, we discussed the issue of no-till in the context of residue management, soil water (mainly infiltration), soil temperature, weeds and economics. In reality, a companion between no-till an conventional till system is very difficult to compare is one only looks at one factor (e.g., residue). When we spoke…