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 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…
A Minute w/ Jeff Hemenway: Soil Properties (1/6)
South Dakota features a variety of soil types, from Mobridge, to Glenham, Kube and more. But regardless of what type of soil our land features, we play a crucial role in increasing or decreasing its quality. How exactly do management practices influence the properties of our soils? NRCS Soil Quality Specialist Jeff Hemenway has conducted…
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%!
Soil Health Applied w/ Brian and Jamie Johnson (1/6)
Brian and Jamie Johnson run an operation in Frankfort, South Dakota where corn-soybeans are the standard rotation. So why do the Johnsons like small grains in their rotation? How do they profit from the small grains both as a cash crop and as a yield booster to their corn and soybeans? Find out in the…
Integrated Systems w/ Doug Sieck – Building a Community of Producers (6/7)
Humans aren’t great at this thing called “change”. So why do so many of us try to do it alone? If we want a change to be successful and to LAST, getting involved with a community of like-minded individuals and experts who have come out the other side can go a long way. This applies…