University of Minnesota Extension and North Dakota State University Extension are co-hosting the 2018 Conservation Tillage Conference Dec. 18-19 in Fargo, N.D., at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center.

Co-organizers Jodi DeJong-Hughes, U-M Extension, and Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension, invite farmers to attend to gather practical, hands-on information that will provide soil improvements as well as generate savings in time, fuel and money.

The conference emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science, they add.

The two-day conference is open to all — from the novice crop consultant to the experienced practitioner in improving soil health. The schedule includes a variety of speakers, including experienced growers, agronomists and academic experts.

The conference kicks off with a keynote speech by Steve Groff of Cover Crop Coaching, Holtwood, Pa. Groff, a farmer, is widely known and respected as a cover crop pioneer, innovator and educator.

Participants attending the conference will learn about nearly every aspect of improving soil health and productivity:

• weed species shift and control

• nutrient management in high-residue systems

• reduced-till and cover crop strategies straight from veteran farmer-practitioners

• proven cover crop strategies for your system to anchor nutrients, manage moisture extremes and provide free nitrogen

• soil health improvements with reduced-till systems and cover crops

Vendor sessions will offer farmers the chance to learn about new equipment, products and technology.

Informal table talk sessions, known as the evening “Beer and Bull” social, will follow to allow time to interact with speakers and industry representatives.

Wick says one of the most popular parts of the Conservation Tillage Conference is the farmer panels.

“These provide multiple perspectives centered around similar goals and give the audience time to ask questions,” she says.

This year, there will be three different panels with farmers, consultants and educators:

• a livestock panel on grazing cover crops featuring farmer-ranchers Kevin Sedivec of NDSU Extension and Troy Salzer of U-M Extension

• a consultant panel on how to incorporate soil health building practices, with Mark Huso of northern North Dakota, Dorian Gatchell of southern Minnesota, Sarah Lovas of east-central North Dakota, and Jon Bork of southern Minnesota and South Dakota

• a farmer panel speaking about on-farm experiences moving to conservation tillage, with Tony Wagner of North Dakota, Tim Little of Minnesota, and David Kruger of South Dakota

More than 20 vendors representing equipment and products and providing educational information will be onsite both days.

Attendees who stay for the entire conference will be offered 10 continuing education units.

Early bird fee is $140 for the full conference. The price increases to $180 after Dec. 3. Register online at digthectc.com or call 320-235-0726, ext. 2001.

Visit digthectc.com for more information on the agenda, lodging and program speakers.

Source: U-M and NDSU Extension