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Articles by Laura Barrera

No-Till Out-Yields Tillage in Tough Conditions

Two long-term tillage studies in Indiana and Illinois prove no-till can yield as well as tillage and perform even better in periods of drought or heat stress.
By Laura Barrera posted on November 19, 2016 | Posted in Seeding & Planting
More than 70 years ago, Ed Faulkner wrote on the opening page of his book, Plowman’s Folly, that, “no one has ever advanced a scientific reason for plowing.”
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Know Your Soils, Improve Their Quality to Help Soybean Fertility

Corn is usually the main focus of a grower’s fertility program, but no-tillers should pay just as much attention to their soybeans by knowing their soil quality and understanding nutrient availability.
By Laura Barrera posted on November 19, 2016 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health
Do you really need to fertilize your no-till soybeans? Can’t you just let them scavenge for what’s left in the soil after corn?
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Laura Barrera
From the Desk of Laura Barrera

10 Practices for Cutting Tile Nitrate Loads

University of Illinois Extension shares 10 steps growers can take to help reduce nitrates in the plant root zone, reduce delivery of nitrate to the field’s edge, and remove nitrogen at the edge of the field or downstream.
By Laura Barrera posted on November 1, 2016 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management, Water Management
University of Illinois Extension shares 10 steps growers can take to help reduce nitrates in the plant root zone, reduce delivery of nitrate to the field’s edge, and remove nitrogen at the edge of the field or downstream.
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How to Read a Soil Test Report

Ward Laboratories president Ray Ward offers a step-by-step explanation on interpreting soil test reports to aid no-till management decisions.
By Laura Barrera posted on October 29, 2016 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health
Most no-tillers understand the importance of soil testing, as they typically serve as the baseline for fertilizer and lime purchases and application.
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Twin Rows, Covers and Chicken Litter Complete an Evolving No-Till System

The Kutzes have continually tweaked their equipment and practices to achieve a level of production they didn’t think was possible.
By Laura Barrera posted on October 29, 2016 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment
About 10 years ago, Dennis and John Kutz needed to trade planters and decided it was time to try something new. So the Fort Atkinson, Wis., father-and-son operation purchased a 12-row Great Plains planter and gave 30-inch twin rows a try.
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Laura Barrera
From the Desk of Laura Barrera

Keys to Speeding Up Residue Decomposition

While residue decomposition is largely controlled by the environment and soil conditions, there are some things no-tillers can do to help speed breakdown along.
By Laura Barrera posted on October 18, 2016 | Posted in Residue Management
While residue decomposition is largely controlled by the environment and soil conditions, there are some things no-tillers can do to help speed breakdown along.
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