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Laura Barrera

Laura Barrera is the former managing editor of No-Till Farmer and Conservation Tillage Guide magazines. Prior to joining No-Till Farmer, she served as an assistant editor for a greenhouse publication. Barrera holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Ball State University.

lbarrera@lesspub.com

Articles

ARTICLES

Gypsum Increases Yields, Reduces Fertilizer Use, Improves Soil Balance

A survey of hundreds of no-tillers reveals they saw $1.68 worth of benefits for every dollar spent on gypsum applications, with the payback being higher with long-term use.

By Laura Barrera posted on April 1, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management

More often than not, the benefits of gypsum applications exceed the application cost, and the amendment can serve as a tool to mitigate drainage issues and increase yields, says a recent survey involving hundreds of no-tillers.

Feeding Worms, Microbial ‘Livestock’ Transforms No-Till Fields

In hilly south-central Pennsylvania, Dave McLaughlin finds no-till, extensive cover cropping and manure application keys soil health success.

By Laura Barrera posted on April 1, 2014 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health

When Dave McLaughlin took over his wife’s family farm in 1994, he decided to take the conservation-tillage practices his father-in-law implemented a little farther.

Laura Allen, Associate Editor, No-Till Farmer

A Weed "Cover" Vs. Your Own: Which Do You Prefer?

By Laura Barrera posted on March 19, 2014 | Posted in Cover Crops

If you’re on the fence on whether to use cover crops, Jim Stute asks: Does the alternative make sense?

20 Million Acres Of Cover Crops By 2020

By Laura Barrera posted on March 5, 2014 | Posted in Cover Crops

No-Till Farmer recently had a seat at the table as major influencers in U.S. agriculture discussed how we can push the acreage seeded to cover crops to 20 million acres by 2020.

Heavy Clay Soils No Match For Well-Tuned No-Till System

Ontario no-tiller Eric Kaiser shares his system for no-tilling tough soils that are prone to poor water infiltration and compaction

By Laura Barrera posted on March 1, 2014 | Posted in Equipment, Water Management

Along the shores of Lake Ontario, Eric Kaiser and his son Max no-till approximately 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat on soils that have 58% clay content.

No-Tilled Winter Canola A Profitable Alternative To Wheat

No-tillers with a rotation that typically includes winter wheat might consider trying winter canola due to its higher prices, benefit to soybean yields and ability to loosen up the soil.

By Laura Barrera posted on March 1, 2014 | Posted in Cover Crops

SWAPPING OUT winter wheat for winter canola offers more than just the benefits of a more diversified rotation.

No-Till And Organic: Combination Has Its Challenges, Rewards

With high demand for organic grain, there could be opportunities for no-tillers to get into organic production. But is it worth the time and effort?

By Laura Barrera posted on February 1, 2014 | Posted in Cover Crops

If no-tillers were ever considering getting into organic production, now may be the perfect time.

No-Till, Cover Crops Could Be Tools To Fight Palmer Amaranth

This devastating pigweed is starting to make its way into the Corn Belt. Here’s what no-tillers need to know to protect their crops from this voracious pest.

By Laura Barrera posted on February 1, 2014 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

There’s just nothing good that can be said about Palmer amaranth. It’s capable of wiping out 78% of soybean yields and a whopping 91% of corn yields on a given farm. Studies have shown populations are resistant to glyphosate, atrazine and HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.

Cereal Rye, Rape Protect Soybeans From Diseases

Results from an Illinois study find that no-tillers might be able to use cereal rye and winter rape to suppress diseases for the following soybean crop.

By Laura Barrera posted on January 1, 2014 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

There is no shortage of yield-robbing diseases with soybeans, but a tool no-tillers may be using could help prevent them.

Taming Variable Soils To Hit Record-Breaking No-Till Yields

No-till, fungicide, in-furrow insecticide and precision technology helped Bob Little reach nearly 300-bushel corn on his northwest Indiana farm’s variable soils.

By Laura Barrera posted on January 1, 2014 | Posted in Crop Protection

If there's one thing Bob Little’s fields aren't short on, it’s soil types.

View All Articles by Laura Barrera

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