Cover crops are trending, but what exactly are they and can they add real value to your farm? DPH agronomist and row crop farmer Eric Johnston breaks down the basics.What are cover crops? 13-species cover crop on Eric's farm Cover crops are

Did you know that MANURE is the most popular fertilizer in the entire history of agriculture?  Not only does it supply plant essential nutrients, but it makes soils more fertile. To get maximum value from manure you must get

 Winter is coming… a time when all perennials slow down and go into dormancy. Did you know that a plant’s ability to survive the winter and come out of dormancy in the spring ready to produce for you is directly related to

When leaves turn color and the plant starts to slow down… it’s a good time to give the shrubs and trees under your care some help in preparing for the Winter… and to set them up for a head start next

The time is fast approaching to put seeds in the ground.  Just like in the spring, the success or struggle of a crop begins at planting time.  Seedbed preparation, moisture, and fertility all play huge roles. If you’re planting any of these

The best thing about farming is that we’re never out of work. As soon as harvest operations are completed, the next growing season begins. For example, how you manage the crop residue this Fall has a direct impact on the next crop.

Hopefully, you've experienced a good planting season this year and received enough rain to produce a good crop. But, how many times have you seen a good-looking crop turn into an average crop? It's called the "HIDDEN HUNGER" season... this time of

Don't let the bugs, "BUG YOU" As organic growers, our options in dealing with pests are limited --- but there are several products and practices allowed in organic production that deal quite effectively with various insects and diseases. Be assured... you do

As your crops move into the reproductive stage, it's critical to monitor nutrient needs and make sure the crop has enough energy to preserve the yield it's created all the way into harvest. As the crop blooms or pollinates, it shifts from

Last year, a non-organic grower used SP-1 on their silage acres. Based on those results, they decided to use the product on ALL of their row crop acres this season. This is their report. Observations by the Grower: "Last year we planted corn in

When you want to take your Forage crops to the NEXT LEVEL, we have 2 options for your consideration that have consistently worked well to improve yield and quality. The 1st option is a FOLIAR application, that works best when good fertility levels are already

Two questions keep resurfacing... How can I grow a high-yielding crop with less nitrogen? Aside from crop insurance, what else can I do to protect my crop from environmental challenges? Too much rain, not enough rain, late planting, not planted, the list goes on. Wherever

For some growers, the planting is done... and the planter discs are shiny to prove it. Regardless if you're done or not, no one ever expects a grower to say, "Job Well Done" until there's evidence of uniform emergence and the promise of

  The root uptake of the trace elements. . . IRON (Fe), ZINC (Zn), MANGANESE (Mn), and COPPER (Cu) is governed by three basic principles. 1. Their presence in the soil. Many ag soils have very low levels of native Zn, Mn, and Cu

Damaging frosts have pillaged much of the country, impacting crops that have already been planted. In response, farmers may light smudge pots, run windmills and use irrigation water. Other practices, such as foliar applying Osmotech or Drammatic Fish to lower the freezing

As a result of the wet spring conditions the last 2 years, many growers are concerned about the lower nutrient numbers on their soil tests. A Nebraska grower is seeing water soluble calcium and potassium numbers that are half of what they