"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Friday, May 24th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
Kingsland School Board recognizes retirees
 
Climate change?
 
Preston reviews city projects
 
Softball Supremacy
 
Chatfield School Board discusses technology integration
 
 
 
<< | < | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | > | >>

Fall tillage management in wet soil conditions

By News Team

Fri, Oct 8th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture



Last Thursday, while watching the rain, the thoughts of an early easy harvest came to an end. I came across some information prepared by Crops Regional Educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes and Extension Agronomist Jeff Coulter in 2009. They addressed options for tillage in wet soils.

Soil compaction and smearing is a distinct concern when pulling implements through or driving on wet soil. Residue management is another concern. We want the fields to dry out quickly next spring for quick planting. To limit soil damage and to help with soil warm-up in the spring, keep these strategies in mind: fill in ruts, keep tillage shallow, properly prepare equipment, and plan ahead for spring.

If you have ruts in the field from fall harvest, the first instinct is to aggressively fill them in. Soil structure is your soil's number one defense against future soil compaction, and tillage destroys structure. To maintain the structure your soil has, just fill in the ruts with light tillage by running equipment at an angle. You may need two to three passes to accomplish this. These areas will not yield as well as the non-rutted area, but there is not much you can do to change this.

A light tillage pass like disking is useful for incorporating residue and introducing air into the soil. If the soil is wet, try to operate this shallow tillage equipment no deeper than three inches. Another option for wet soils is vertical tillage. Vertical tillage runs one to three inches deep and uses straight or wavy coulters, a harrow, and rolling baskets. Vertical tillage fluffs-up the remaining residue with shallow penetration and minimal inversion of the soil.

Lifting wet soils can create clods. If using a chisel plow or disk ripper, shallow up the shanks, and use narrow points. The wings have a higher potential for smearing the soil. Twisted or parabolic shanks will create the most soil movement and can create soil clods. Clods in themselves are not bad going into winter. Next spring they will leave more surface area for water infiltration. However, a field with clods will likely need an extra tillage pass in the spring to create an adequate seedbed for good seed-to-soil contact.

Wet soils have a high potential for soil compaction. To limit soil compaction, keep axle loads under 10 tons and properly maintain air pressure in the tires. Not only does this help the soil, but it will help your tractor run more efficiently and with less slippage. On wet so .....
[Read the Rest]
JEM Movie Theatre

Small farm U

By News Team

Fri, Oct 8th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments



Times are tough, and maybe you are looking for an inexpensive small business venture on your land. Or, maybe you just need an engrossing hobby?

Either way, consider learning about some of your options at "Small Farm U" - Small Farm U ..... 
[Read the Rest]

Become a master gardener

By News Team

Fri, Sep 24th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments



The success of the University of Minnesota Master Gardener program starts with the quality and passion if its volunteers. It is the motivation, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the trained volunteers that make the Master Gardener program a value ..... 
[Read the Rest]

ALPACA FARMS NATIONWIDE CELEBRATE NATIONAL ALPACA FARM DAYS

By News Team

Wed, Sep 22nd, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments



Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) invites you to visit their member farms and ranches on National Alpaca Farm Days on September 25th and 26th. This is a unique opportunity for the public to explore the many aspects of the alpaca l ..... 
[Read the Rest]

It's farm safety week-take a nap!

By News Team

Fri, Sep 17th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments



September 19 - 25 is Farm Safety Week. The suggestion to take a nap may sound like a contradiction, but University of Illinois Extension Safety Specialist, Bob Aherin, says taking a break can actually be one of the best things you do during ..... 
[Read the Rest]

Grain drowning

By News Team

Fri, Sep 17th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments



Grain bins, gravity flow wagons, and trucks are involved in grain suffocations or grain "drownings" each year. Grain that flows out from the bottom through an auger or by gravity is much like quicksand. An adult can be pulled under the grain ..... 
[Read the Rest]

Local angus breeders recognized to owning proven bulls

By News Team

Fri, Sep 17th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments

Rein Angus Farm, owns one bull, Julie Ann Abrahamson, owns two bulls and Philip Abrahamson, also owns two bulls listed in the 2010 Fall Sire Evaluation Report published by the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo. All three breeders ..... 
[Read the Rest]

Forest invasive species

By News Team

Fri, Sep 17th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments

Are you worried about invasive species like buckthorn, emerald ash borer, garlic mustard, and gypsy moth on your property? If so this class is for you. Participants will learn how to identify invasive species of concern in southeast Minnesota. Durin ..... 
[Read the Rest]

Time to chop corn silage

By News Team

Fri, Aug 27th, 2010
Posted in Agriculture
Comments



There was a lot of talk at the Houston County Fair about of how fast the crops are maturing this summer. Looking at the latest Crop Weather report from Minnesota Ag News, I see Preston is the farthest ahead of normal of any spot in Minnesota ..... 
[Read the Rest]
<< | < | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | > | >>