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One reason glyphosate-resistant weeds are multiplying is lack of early detection. Because glyphosate has been so effective, busy farmers often skimp on scouting after spraying, says Jeff Stachler, Extension weed scientist at North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota. As a consequence, “we’re not detecting weed changes from year to year.”
When one of his largest landowners walked away last year, Rob Richards of Indy Family Farms in Indiana realized that his communications to landlords were falling short. The loss was a wake-up call for the family business, which covers 12,000 acres in counties south of Indianapolis and includes 164 landlords, who range from retired farmers to investors.
Photo: Greg Latza
Steve Berger first seeded cereal rye as a cover crop on a continual basis 12 years ago on his 2,100-acre southeastern Iowa crop and livestock operation. His father Dennis began no-tilling their ground in the late 1970s, so early adoption is a tradition there.
Photo: Lynn Betts
A Corn & Soybean Digest review of academic studies and various growers’ conservation-tillage transitions reveals significant fuel, labor and equipment cost savings. Added to the long-term benefits of better soil health and moisture management makes reduced tillage a winning financial and agronomic combination.
Photo: Denny Eilers
Micronutrients are essential for plants to complete life cycles, say university fertility specialists, just as important as N, P and K. “But whether or not micronutrients need to be added to individual fields or even parts of fields is open for discussion. Deficiencies are not common and often are related to soil type,” says Fabian Fernandez, University of Illinois soil fertility specialist.
Photo: Brandt
Gail Fuller has taken no-till to the next level. “I truly believe that I can grow a higher nutritional value grain with little or no inputs, protecting the environment and selling a higher-quality product in the end,” he says.
That’s a tall order, but Fuller is well on his way on his 100% no-till farm near Emporia, Kan. With more than a dozen cash crops in his rotation this year, along with corn and soybeans, Fuller believes he’s found the missing link in no-till.
Photo: Shannon Krueger
Your farm data represent dollars spent and dollars to be made. Spinning them into gold is the challenge. Farmers 50 years ago knew every field like the back of their hands, no doubt better. With bigger farms and more fields, truly knowing a field is more likely done through data. However, with grid sampling, yield monitoring, variable-rate seeding and fertilizer applications, crop histories and more, data can overwhelm even the most analytical farmer ever.
Photo: Kurt Lawton
“China is the big 'x-factor' in world agricultural markets right now,” says Tom Sleight, CEO for the U.S. Grains Council. “It’s not a question of who is involved [in modernizing], but of who isn’t.”
China is attracting investments by large, global organizations, says Ken Golden, director of public relations for Deere & Company. “The country is also encouraging mechanization and improved farming practices.”
Photo: US Grains Council
The Adapt-N online computer model simulates the complex processes in a corn field: local precipitation and temperatures, soil type, soil organic matter and slope, previous crops, inputs, tillage, planting date, population, hybrids, rotation, type and date of starter and yield potential. Using high-resolution weather information (3x3-mile grids), the web model tailors site-specific N recommendations to your farm in almost real time.
The Liebls installed two water- and sediment-control basins in the field to slow the speed of water flowing through the draw. These short, earthen dams bridge the drainage-way, preventing runoff water from cutting a new channel. The dams, which are 3-4 ft. high, are broad enough to be farmed on both banks. Now, the Liebls’ soil stays put, and the field — minus the gully — is more farmable. “It works so well, I can’t say enough good about it,” Dave says.
Photo: Liz Morrison
Tim Schmeeckle is learning to grow corn with less water. Precision-irrigation management is helping him and other farmers apply the right amount of water on every part of the field. Variable-rate irrigation (VRI) adjusts water application depth for differences in soil water-holding capacity, topography and yield potential. The goal is to boost crop production while conserving an expensive and increasingly scarce resource. “Even in a drought year,” Schmeeckle says, “I’m conserving water.”
Photo: Susan Winsor
