This course covers the structural, vegetative, and management conservation practices used to reduce all five types of soil erosion.

Joshua Gamble, ARS Research Agronomist, discusses the role alfalfa roots play in mediating yield, stand persistence, and ecosystem services. Joshua will also discuss how root systems can be managed for improved outcomes, and highlight some of the current ARS research in breeding and root architecture. Craig Shaeffer, UMN, provides an overview of alfalfa fertility with particular attention to K, S, and pH.

The new version of the seeding spreadsheet has the ability to do seeding checkouts based on seed tags listing a Pure Live Seed (PLS) applied column. This method streamlines the checkout data entry to just one number per species. The spreadsheet still accommodates doing a checkout with a seed tag using the traditional purity and germination data entries. It also provides for a two step process whereby a seed tag utilizing purity and germ data can be combined with a PLS style tag to get a single efficient printout to document  the seeding meets standards and specs.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has put together this presentation to help retailers understand the requirements for labeling and selling seed in Minnesota. It provides basic information that seed retailers should know regarding the Minnesota seed law, seed inventory management strategies, and seed label requirements. Please contact seed.mda@state.mn.us with any questions or if you would like further information.

Callie Bertsch, NRCS State Forester, gives an overview of the criteria for Forestry CPA 106, DIA 165, and CEMA 223 activity plans. She reviews a newly released checklist, the practice standards and cost list.

Ian Olson and Ken Fransky of Centrol Crop Consulting share information and videos about different fall activities on a farm.

Ian Olson and Ken Fransky of Centrol Crop Consulting  present on the value and utilization of manure in the context of farm economics, regulations, global fertilizer markets, soil fertility and production.  They also include a discussion of the role of TSPs.

Ian Olson and Ken Fransky of Centrol Crop Consulting present information on the different types of tillage and planting equipment with discussion on what each type does to soil and residues as well as pros and cons of using each.

Ian Olson and Ken Fransky of Centrol Crop Consulting present information on the different types of tillage and planting equipment with discussion on what each type does to soil and residues as well as pros and cons of using each.