We often hear anecdotes about how farmers who no-till and plant cover crops are able to get into fields faster than neighbors waiting for compacted areas to dry out.

In a new research project, University of Minnesota Extension scientists are trying to address that question, with field studies exploring how row crop management systems change soil response to rain, and farmer access to fields after rain. Researchers will be monitoring pairs of farms using contrasting management for soil structure and moisture for two growing seasons. They are also looking at how field workability impacts farmers’ quality of life and stress levels.

While they are busy gathering field data from cooperator farms and the Southern Research and Outreach Center, the scientists are also looking to gather information from more farmers across the state. All crop farmers in Minnesota are invited to participate in the survey. Questions will collect information including farm characteristics, how farming practices impact your workable field days, and the impact this has on farmer stress and overall quality of life.

The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete, and it can be completed online.

Prior to beginning the survey, all respondents will be asked to sign a document, consenting to participation in the research study.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, and individual data gathered will be kept private. In future reports U-M Extension might publish, it will not include any information that would make it possible to identify an individual. Research records will be stored securely, and only researchers will have access to the records.

The research team for this project includes Anna Cates ([email protected]), Jeffrey Vetsch ([email protected]), Gregg Johnson ([email protected]), Bill Lazarus ([email protected]) and Emily Krekelberg ([email protected]).

Questions about the survey can be directed to Cates ([email protected]; 612-625-3135) or Krekelberg ([email protected]; 612-756-3977).

Drewitz is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator for agriculture production systems in Fillmore and Houston counties.

Source: University of Minnesota Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.