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 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…
Soil Health Applied – Mindsets for Success (6/6)
If you want any business to be successful over time, you have to be open to change. As life-long learners, this is where Brian and Jamie Johnson excel. As Jamie says, “We wanna make [our operation] the best we can. That’s what we’re after to find the best practices to move this farm into the next…
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 – Livestock Integration (5/7)
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…