Pasturetec’s Post

How We Help a Sod Field to Recover From Poor Establishment If you’re in sod production, bare patches in a field are more than just an eyesore—they’re a hit to productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line. So, how do you fix these spots in order to have a uniform harvest in the following season? In my latest video, I briefly show the results of a newly overseeded sod field and in future posts will cover: - The right time and technique for reseeding to get even coverage and strong root development - Avoiding costly mistakes that can stunt growth or waste seed - Soil health tips that make a difference for the next harvest Every field has potential—when you give it the right attention.

Promising Start for Maine’s Early Processing Crop of Caribou Russet This article highlights the early emergence of Maine’s Caribou Russet processing crop, indicating a strong start to the growing season and its implications for farmers and the processing industry. https://lnkd.in/eaBKJDWG

【Near-Surface Soil Chemical Properties as Affected by Cover Crops Over Time in the Lower Mississippi River Valley】 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gi2UXUCy (Authored by Cooper Fanning, et al., from University of Arkansas, USA.) Cover crops (CC) are plants, such as grasses, forbs, and/or legumes, which are generally grown between two cropping seasons, after a crop has been harvested and before the new crop is planted, in a field that would typically otherwise remain fallow. This study evaluates the temporal effects of #cover_crops (CC) on select near-surface soil chemical properties (i.e., pH, #soil_organic_matter (SOM), Mehlich-3-extractable soil elemental contents, Haney soil health parameters, and N-STaR soil N availability) among several Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) in the eastern Arkansas portion of the LMRV. #Soil_Properties

In partnership with the USDA-NRCS and the The National Association of Conservation Districts, the Soil Health Institute interviewed 30 farmers in 20 states who have implemented a soil health management system (SHMS) to examine the economic and on-farm benefits they experienced. In this final installment of our #FarmerFocus series, we feature the Carl Coleman farm in the Pee Dee Watershed of South Carolina. The farm reported a net income increase of $94.36/acre for corn, $31.33/acre for soybean, and $66.74/acre for yellow pea through reduced production costs achieved by implementing a SHMS of no-till production and cover crops. For an in-depth analysis, read the full fact sheet https://zurl.co/e80R and learn more about the economics of soil health at https://zurl.co/dg63. #SoilHealth #FarmEconomics

Farmer Issue Friday – Week 10 Interview with Kevin Stahle This week we were able to talk with a local farmer and South Impact Lead here at Corteva Agriscience to discuss soil health. Kevin Stahle and his family farm corn, soybeans, occasionally wheat, and some CRP in Johnson County. While talking with Kevin, he provided his family’s approach to managing soil health and improving the productivity of their land. Kevin stated that they utilize a cereal rye cover crop on their ground that has more slope to provide strength to the soil and avoid erosion. Another key factor to maintaining soil health in their operation is the use of field tile. While the cost can be expensive upfront, they’ve seen significantly improved drainage and yields on their farm from the addition of field tile. The most influential component to soil health on their farm is the no-till environment they’ve established. Kevin suggested that “Avoiding aggressive tillage has certainly helped our operation. It helps with fertility, it helps with drainage, and has reduced erosion.” Soil health is especially important in a season like this where we have received large amounts of rainfall as it can reduce the effectiveness of nitrogen applications. Debora Montezano, Grahm Humpal, and I learned a lot from our interview with Kevin and hope you did too! #KeepGrowing #InnovateBoldly #LifeAtCorteva

So, if we have awesome tools like Geco Strategic Weed Management that shows us where the weeds are maybe some targeted soil sampling data in those areas can fill in some important details. Perhaps it could help create better models for learning. I would guess for obvious reasons there is a general lack of attention given to sampling/analyzing weed infested areas. I don't want to offend anyone but by just applying chemicals we can only hope to treat the symptoms temporarily while over time increasing potential for chemical residue in the soil. Now let's see what VRAFY shows me on a field with multiple years of complete soil sample maps, yield and satellite imagery. Do we think we will find a correlation between low yield and salt/sodium but for some reason according to NDVI those areas looked pretty good? Maybe. https://lnkd.in/g2UFmtk9

Top Tips for Successful Hydroseeding in Utah 1. Best Timing 2. Soil Preparation 3. Seed Mix 4. Watering 5. Monitor Growth Read the blog here: https://zurl.co/beD7 #LawnGoals #UtahHydroseeding

“I believe in [Bio 800] and what it does for the farm,” explains Brian Strider, Holganix Area Sales Director and fifth-generation farmer. “I put the product on in-furrow on corn and beans. We noticed our crops looked good through a drought situation. We had excellent yields and no stress on our corn and beans.” Watch Brian’s video to learn more about his experience with Holganix: https://hubs.li/Q02vMkDG0 --- Why Should Your Farm Use Holganix Bio 800? It all comes down to soil health and investing in the legacy of your family's farm! Holganix Bio 800 harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes to reduce the need for fertilizer, increase yield, boost soil health, and break down crop debris. At Holganix, we believe that by infusing soils with diverse microbes we help our farmers improve the health of their soils, investing in the legacy of their farm for future generations. Plus, farmers using Holganix Bio 800 see a yield improvement in just one season! #Farming #Agriculture #Corn #Soybeans #Fertilizer #Farm #SoilHealth #farmer

🌱 Biophysical Conditions for Cassava Cropping Systems 🌱 Are you interested in growing cassava? Here are two essential biophysical conditions to ensure a successful harvest: 1. Soil Quality 🌿 - Choose well-drained soils, not extremely stony or shallow (minimum depth of 30 cm). - Cassava is tolerant of high aluminium and manganese levels but doesn't thrive in extremely sandy, salty, clayey, or waterlogged soils. Waterlogged Soil Tip: If your land is waterlogged, create soil mounds (3 meters wide and 2 meters high) or high ridges to keep the tuberous roots above the water. Plant cassava alongside other crops like yam, maize, and vegetables for optimal growth. 2. Spear Grass Infestation 🌾 - Avoid areas with severe Imperata (spear grass) infestation, as it can penetrate roots and cause rot. Infestation Solution: Use herbicides like glyphosate before soil preparation to eliminate Imperata. By considering these conditions, you can ensure a healthy and productive cassava crop! 🌱✨ #CassavaFarming #AgricultureTips #SustainableFarming #CropManagement

"Mujhe soil testing pe bhrosa nhi hai, mere sample mix ho jaige" (I don't trust soil testing,my soil samples will get mixed). This startling admission from a farmer revealed a disturbing truth. Many farmers share this concern in our area. After researching and talking to farmers and experts I discovered two main reasons: 1. Incomplete or inaccurate information on the soil sample form, including: - Farmer's name - Date of sample collection - Collector's name - Field name (crucial) - Rainfed or irrigated area - Height from sea level - Field slope 2. Carelessness or negligence by laboratory staff, such as: - Mixing up samples (concerning) - Mislabeling samples - Failing to follow proper protocols These oversights can lead to inaccurate soil test results, affecting farmers' decision-making and potentially harming their crops. It's crucial to address these issues to ensure reliable soil testing. #Soiltesting #soilscience #farmertrust #farmerofhimachal