Articles by Dan Crummett

Cashing in with Cover Forages Between No-Till Wheat Crops

Oklahoma no-tiller squeezes in a profitable late-summer, early-fall grazing period on cover crops he sows immediately behind his combine. The practice adds $100-150 per acre in cattle gains.

By Dan Crummett posted on May 2, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Northwestern Oklahoma no-tiller Jimmy Emmons quit plowing 10 years ago to begin rebuilding his soils and says by adding diverse cover crop mixes to his operation over the same period he’s cut his farm’s overall purchased fertilizer use by 85%.

Fuel or Fertilizer: Green Ammonia

A fledgling ammonia-for-fuel industry is sparking interest in an electrically powered, carbon-free infrastructure that could rewrite ledger books for anhydrous ammonia fertilizer.

By Dan Crummett posted on April 3, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection, Nutrient Management

When anhydrous ammonia jumped to over $1,400 per ton in late 2021, growers intensified their scramble to find black ink on 2022’s farm spreadsheets — a long-term challenge, considering natural gas, the main feedstock for NH3 fertilizer, entered the new year trading at nearly record-high prices.

Ahead of the Curve

Computer-Assisted Steering Helps Out In Tight Spots

Danfoss Power Solutions’ new MultiAxis-Steer technology is designed to boost maneuverability in tight corners and has fans in EU.

By Dan Crummett posted on March 31, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

Significant increases in productivity sometimes come in unexpected and obscure innovations. Case in point: Danfoss Power Solutions’ new MultiAxis-Steer in use on farms across Europe.

Studies Show Flaming Aids Cover Crop Termination

Italian researchers added a fire-based technique to up roller-crimper effectiveness and timeliness.

By Dan Crummett posted on March 1, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

Cover croppers seeking to improve the effectiveness of using a roller-crimper to terminate standing covers ahead of the planter may want to consider adding flames to the procedure.

Soil Function Key to Regenerative No-Till

Putting soil health at the center of a no-till operation can take a farm from status quo to truly regenerative with balanced and diversified soil biology, improved aggregate stability, increased water infiltration rates and improved nutrient cycling.

By Dan Crummett posted on February 24, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Longtime soil conservationist Barry Fisher says improving soil health requires well-planned, step-by-step actions aimed at specific goals. However, taking those steps can seems daunting, especially if they add complexity to a system that seems to be working well.

Deep-Rooted Kernza Shows Promise as Dual-Purpose Perennial Crop

Kernza, a specialty grain crop developed by The Land Institute, is a perennial cool-season, dual-purpose crop that can provide high-quality winter grazing as well as grain in the summer.

By Dan Crummett posted on February 2, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Soil Health

The land institute's nearly 20-year-old breeding program with intermediate wheatgrass is on track to perfect a no-tiller’s “dream come true” — a cool season perennial that can be managed for both winter grazing and a grain crop the following summer.

CROP PROTECTION ROUNDUP 2022

Concerted Battle with Tar Spot of Corn Continues

While seed choices are limited, plant pathologists urge growers to attempt to select hybrids for tar spot resistance and be ready to make fungicide applications at the first sign of the disease in their fields.

By Dan Crummett posted on January 5, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

Developing Systemic Synergies for No-Till Success

Indiana farmer Jason Mauck looks to vertical integration as well as technical innovation to cut costs and boost per-acre bottom line returns for economic resiliency.

By Dan Crummett posted on January 4, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health

Indiana farmer Jason Mauck looks to vertical integration as well as technical innovation to cut costs and boost per-acre bottom line returns for economic resiliency.

Closing the ‘Brown Gap’ with Big Covers and Crop Rotation

Virginia grower Paul Davis shares how he transitioned from no-till-only to a varied mix of covers and cash crops to reduce nutrient inputs and boost soil quality.

By Dan Crummett posted on December 8, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection, Nutrient Management

Virginia grower Paul Davis shares how he transitioned from no-till-only to a varied mix of covers and cash crops to reduce nutrient inputs and boost soil quality.

Two Roads to Farming’s Future: What to Choose?

Veteran ag economist John Ikerd says U.S. agriculture may need to look at a more integrated approach to the challenges it faces with growing public concern over environmental and social issues.

By Dan Crummett posted on October 16, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

Long-time ag economist John Ikerd says U.S. agriculture is at a major crossroads with significant changes in the offing, but he says no-till farming will be important regardless of the ultimate future direction of the industry.

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34-Year Study: How Does No-Till Stack Up to Other Systems?

On this edition of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, Gregg Sanford, Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial manager, reveals how no-till is stacking up to other major systems in year 34 of the trial.

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