Ray Archuleta

As one of the premier conservation agronomists and soil health experts, retired NRCS soil scientist Ray Archuleta will hold two general sessions at the 2018 National No-Tillage Conference Jan. 9-12 in Louisville, Ky.

With more than 25 years of field experience with the NRCS, Archuleta is regarded worldwide for his hands-on approach to analyzing and comparing soil health in a variety of tillage systems.

During the Harry Young Jr. Memorial Lecture Series general session, sponsored by H&R Agri-Power, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, Archuleta will discuss the tenets of building ecological and economic integrity on farms, and he’ll challenge attendees to take part in the ecological revolution that is nurturing new leaders in the ag community.

The formula for success in agriculture is changing at a fast pace and that will require no-tillers to develop a different outlook and skill set for their operation to prosper, says Archuleta.

Archuleta will also hold a general session on using new soil-assessment tools, such as the Haney test, along with other ideas to help no-tillers reduce chemical inputs without sacrificing yields.

“There are plenty of traditional tools available today to help no-tillers assess soil nutrient levels and apply inputs more efficiently,” he says. “But some older technologies may also have limitations.”

Co-located with the 3rd annual Precision Farming Dealer Summit, the 2018 conference will be held Jan. 9-12 at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. The 26th annual conference offers 13 general sessions, 24 no-till classrooms and 80 no-till roundtables. Additional discussion topics include the impact of no-till practices on plant nutrition and yield, slowing the growth of herbicide resistance and tips from growers on successfully interseeding cover crops into cash crops. The 2018 program is now available online.

Sponsors making the learning and networking opportunities possible for no-tillers are Ag Leader Technology, The Andersons PureGrade, Case IH, Equipment Technologies (Apache Sprayers), Exapta Solutions, Fennig Equipment, KB Seed Solutions, Montag Mfg., Needham Ag Technologies, Nufarm, Syngenta, Titan International, Verdesian Life Sciences, and Yetter Farm Equipment.

A $50.00 registration discount is available through 12/31/17. For more information and to register for the conference at the $329 Early Bird rate, click here or visit notillconference.com.