This course will review tillage calculation tools, primary tillage implements, and secondary tillage implements used in a corn/soybean setting.
NRCS
United States
Participants will need an AgLearn account to take this training.
This training series provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, design, and install Wetland Restorations (CPS 657). Additional training may be needed.
TTCP
Tech Talk: Wetland ID & Ecology Part 1
This is the first part of the Wetland ID & Ecology Basics series. Join BWSR Wetland Specialists Ben Meyer and David Demmer for this session covering the three wetland parameters and an overview of wetland classification systems.
Webinar 1: Introduction to Wetlands
This first webinar, presented in 5 segments, in ASWM and NRCS’s jointly developed nine-part wetland training webinar series provides an introduction to wetlands. The webinar introduces the primary components of a wetland, moving on to what makes wetlands distinctive from other types of waters and land. Next, the webinar covers the variability of wetlands across the landscape, including across seasons and time and the benefits of wetlands. The training concludes with a discussion of the history of and changes in agriculture policy in relation to wetland losses and gains. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to describe what a wetland is and be able to explain to others the value of wetlands.
Webinar 3: Wetlands Ecology for Planners - How Wetlands Function
(Time: 1 hour, 56 mins) This is the third webinar, delivered in 5 segments, in ASWM and NRCS’s jointly developed nine-part wetland training webinar series. The first half of the webinar focused on explaining general wetland ecology concepts, including succession, thresholds, disturbance, sensitivity and resilience. The second half of the webinar identified how source waters (surface and groundwater) and soils define the character of a wetland, including an introduction to the Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification System (HGM). Participants will come away from the webinar with an increased understanding of how to consider these key concepts as they plan conservation and management activities that include wetlands.
Webinar 4: Wetland Ecology for Planners: Examples of Variation Across the United States
This is the fourth webinar, delivered in 4 segments, in ASWM and NRCS’s jointly developed nine-part wetland training webinar series. The webinar will begin with a presentation on the variability in wetlands across the country, including how specific wetland functions and services vary by wetland type. The webinar will review these functions and services, which include wildlife habitat, flood attenuation, water quality improvement, recreational opportunities and more. The webinar will then move to a second presentation on wetland benefits and their impact on other resources at the watershed scale. This topic will be explored through three cases examining how climatic fluctuation, flooding and water quality are impacted by the presence and/or absence of wetlands (wetland loss/wetland restoration). Participants will come away from the webinar with an increased understanding of variability of wetlands and their associated functions and services nationwide, as well as how wetland loss and wetland restoration can have impacts at the watershed scale.
Part 4.0: Welcome: Jeanne Christie, Association of State Wetland Managers Time: 5:30
Part 4.1: Presenter: Andy Robertson, Executive Director, Geospatial Services, St Mary's University of Minnesota Time: 5:55
Part 4.2: Presenter: Doug Norris, Wetland Program Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Time: 28:37
Part 4.3: Presenter: Andy Robertson, Executive Director, Geospatial Services, St Mary's University of Minnesota Time: 32:32
The Association of State Wetland Managers has developed an online training series focused on hydric soils for wetland professionals. This twelve module training series is for wetland field practitioners who need expertise in hydric soils and seek to understand how hydric soils are formed and how to recognize and interpret the information they provide when observed in the field. This can also be used as refresher course for those practitioners who have not had soils training in recent years.
This video is a recording of the morning portion of the 2018-2019 TTCP Basic Hydrology class PowerPoints. It covers the science of hydrology, specifically precipitation, runoff, curve numbers, and peak discharge as covered in the NRCS hydrology modules 101-106 (pdfs online).
The basics of drainage and why it is done, installing drainage, the wetland hydrology technical criterion, the terms “effectively drained” and “lateral effect”, and drainage setback tables. (Time: 15 minutes)
Basic Hydrology is offered regularly as an in person course. If you need additional Basic Hydrology training, be sure to include the Basic Skill - "Basic Hydrology" in your eLINK Individual Development Plan (IDP).
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Request Natural Heritage Database training access through your Area Resource Conservationist
This training will enable field staff involved in project applications, the design, or the construction of wetland restorations to have a solid understanding of the science and methods used. Types of implementation will include mostly basic components such as scrapes, ditch plugs, and small embankments. Vegetation establishment considerations will also be covered. NRCS and SWCD staff that follow up this training with experience on actual projects should be able to pursue Job Approval Authority for the phase(s) they work on.
Introduction to Agronomy Tech Note #31
Agronomy Technical Note #31 (ATN31) is used as a guide for the establishment of native and introduced plantings of herbaceous vegetation for the following practices:
Conservation Cover (327)
Contour Buffer Strips (332)
Critical Area Planting (342)
Filter Strip (393)
Forage and Biomass Planting (512)
Cross Wind Trap Strips (598C)
Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities (643)
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645)Wetland Restoration (657)
This course is the first module in the series, and it provides an overview of Agronomy Tech Note 31 and an introduction to introduced, native, and invasive species.
This course is the second module in the ATN 31 series, and it describes the different methods for seedbed preparation and seeding and covers seeding equipment, seeder calibration, herbicide considerations, and planting dates. This course also discusses the concepts of Pure Live Seed (PLS) and Seeds Per Square Foot (seeds/sq. ft.).
Seeding Considerations and Evaluations
This course is the third module in the ATN 31 series, and it covers companion crops, temporary cover, weed control, and fertilizer and lime considerations. This course also outlines the procedures for completing stand evaluations.
This course is the fourth and final module in the ATN 31 series, and it provides instructions on the use of the Seed Calculator Tool for developing seed plans and completing checkouts after plantings.
Tech Talk: Wetland Restoration Seed Mixes
Kelly Voigt, TTCP Training Conservationist, demonstrates how to design and evaluate wetland restoration seed mixes using the latest version of the NRCS seeding and certification calculator.
Wetland Creation (CPS 658)
Wetland Enhancement (CPS 659)
Seasonal Water Management for Wildlife (CPS 646)
Request Natural Heritage Database training access through your Area Resource Conservationist.
Course Description: This course will cover information to assist users of soils information with accessing and interpreting soils data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey including a review of the online interface. Objectives:
Access web soil survey
Demonstrate how to download official SSURGO soils
Navigate to and select an area of interest, run interpretive reports, and create and download reports
The Association of State Wetland Managers has developed an online training series focused on hydric soils for wetland professionals. This twelve module training series is for wetland field practitioners who need expertise in hydric soils and seek to understand how hydric soils are formed and how to recognize and interpret the information they provide when observed in the field. This can also be used as refresher course for those practitioners who have not had soils training in recent years.
The basics of drainage and why it is done, installing drainage, the wetland hydrology technical criterion, the terms “effectively drained” and “lateral effect”, and drainage setback tables. (Time: 15 minutes)
The Association of State Wetland Managers has developed an online training series focused on hydric soils for wetland professionals. This twelve module training series is for wetland field practitioners who need expertise in hydric soils and seek to understand how hydric soils are formed and how to recognize and interpret the information they provide when observed in the field. This can also be used as refresher course for those practitioners who have not had soils training in recent years.
The module focuses on using the NTCHS Indicators of Hydric Soils (Version 7.0) for onsite decision making about soils in the field. This module shares what resources you will need to use the indicators, how to access the electronic resources (including guides, errata sheets and more). The module will help participants understand the definitions of key terms for this work, as well as show how to combine the use of these resources effectively to aid decision making in the field. This module brings together many of the main concepts from earlier modules (e.g. soil textures, colors, landforms) and helps the participant understand their application in an applied setting. The module will cover important indicator caveats and provide other useful guidance for working with NTCHS Indicators of Hydric Soils in the field. Note: If you are not familiar with the basics of hydric soils, we recommend that you complete the earlier modules in the series prior to participating in Modules 10, 11 and 12 to optimize your learning experience.
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The basics of drainage and why it is done, installing drainage, the wetland hydrology technical criterion, the terms “effectively drained” and “lateral effect”, and drainage setback tables. (Time: 15 minutes)
Tech Talk Replay: Filter Strip - Part 1
Shannon Carpenter, NRCS Water Quality Specialist St. Paul reviews CPS 393 Filter Strip Practice Standard details, practice design, and Filter Strip Implementation requirements worksheet. This session also covers a brief review of Agronomy Technical Note #31 and how the Filter Strip Standard relates to the Note 31 and use of the Seed mix calculator.
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This course is the fourth and final module in the ATN 31 series, and it provides instructions on the use of the Seed Calculator Tool for developing seed plans and completing checkouts after plantings.
Tech Talk: Seeding Calculator Workbook
Eric Anderson, NRCS Area Resource Conservationist demonstrates how to use the Conservation Seeding Calculator workbook to either develop a seeding plan or complete a checkout on a planting. He also shows new updates that have been made to the workbook including corrections to errors on the 342 Critical Area Planting tab and the new functionality to do seeding checkouts that document whether an applied seeding meets or does not meet practice specifications.
Tech Talk: Seed Calculator Revisions
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. All species included in the calculator can now be brought into a seed mix using a reference number assigned to that species. The reference number will bring in the data used for that species in mix evaluation, such as seeds per pound, bloom period and etc. The use of the reference number will streamline the process of customizing a mix.
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This course is the second module in the ATN 31 series, and it describes the different methods for seedbed preparation and seeding and covers seeding equipment, seeder calibration, herbicide considerations, and planting dates. This course also discusses the concepts of Pure Live Seed (PLS) and Seeds Per Square Foot (seeds/sq. ft.).
1. Go through Minnesota NRCS Engineering Job Approval Authority
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This course is the second module in the ATN 31 series, and it describes the different methods for seedbed preparation and seeding and covers seeding equipment, seeder calibration, herbicide considerations, and planting dates. This course also discusses the concepts of Pure Live Seed (PLS) and Seeds Per Square Foot (seeds/sq. ft.).
Selling Seed in Minnesota (Seed Law)
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has put together this video 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.
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Seeding Considerations and Evaluations
This course is the third module in the ATN 31 series, and it covers companion crops, temporary cover, weed control, and fertilizer and lime considerations. This course also outlines the procedures for completing stand evaluations.
1. Go through Minnesota NRCS Engineering Job Approval Authority
Electronic payments are a fast, convenient, and safe alternative to paper checks. BWSR encourages local partners assist landowner to enroll for electronic payments. It will help landowners receive their payments faster, even when they are not always at their primary residence.
This training series provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan, write, and certify Residue and Tillage Management - No Till (CPS 329). Additional training may be needed.
TTCP
What criteria should you use when selecting a soybean variety? How do the economics pencil out for different soybean maturities in your area? What disease traits should you be on the lookout for? Learn more through a discussion of these questions and trial results with Dr. Seth Naeve, Extension soybean agronomist and Dr. Dean Malvick, Extension plant pathologist.
What criteria should you used when selecting a corn hybrid? How do hybrid maturities affect your bottom line? What about hybrid selection and disease resistance? Watch the recording for answers to these questions and hybrid trial results with Dr. Jeff Coulter, Extension corn agronomist, Tom Hoverstad, Researcher from Southern Research and Outreach Center and Dr. Dean Malvick, Extension plant pathologist.
Soybean crop management in Wisconsin (soybeans, part 1/3)
(Time: 12:35) This video discusses components contributing to yield in soybeans including varietal selection, regional climate and fertilization.
Vegetative Growth Stages of Soybeans (soybeans 2/3)
(Time: 16:39) This video focuses on the early season growth and development of soybeans
R Stages, Soybean Management in Wisconsin (soybeans 3/3)
(Time: 17:42) This video focuses on the reproductive stages of growth and development of soybeans.
This website provides information on variety selection, growing, harvest and storage, planting and pest management for forages in Minnesota.
This website provides information on growing sugarbeets and pest management for sugarbeets Minnesota.
This website provides information on crop and variety selection, growing, harvest and storage, planting and pest management for small grains in Minnesota.
Corn yield in Wisconsin and the US (Corn, part 1/3)
(Time:13:41) Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (1 of 3) focuses on an overview of corn yield in Wisconsin and the US.
Corn growth and development staging systems (Corn, part 2/3)
(Time 41:01) Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (2 of 3) focuses on systems used to label stages of corn plant development in Wisconsin and the US.
Yield components of corn (corn, part 3/3)
(Time 24:02) Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (3 of 3) focuses on the components that contribute to yield in corn.
(Time 1:00:22) Our soils support 95 percent of all food production, and by 2060, our soils will be asked to give us as much food as we have consumed in the last 500 years. They filter our water. They are one of our most cost-effective reservoirs for sequestering carbon. They are our foundation for biodiversity. And they are vibrantly alive, teeming with 10,000 pounds of biological life in every acre. Yet in the last 150 years, we’ve lost half of the basic building block that makes soil productive. The societal and environmental costs of soil loss and degradation in the United States alone are now estimated to be as high as $85 billion every single year. Like any relationship, our living soil needs our tenderness. It’s time we changed everything we thought we knew about soil.
(Time: 57:21) In this session, Dr. Jessica Gutknecht discusses soil health. When you think about the soil beneath your feet, or beneath your tractor, what does it mean for it to be healthy? What does it take for it to be healthy, and what are the results of those efforts? In this talk, we will explore the world below with a brief introduction to soils, how soil structure is built into a healthy soil, and some management options for building a healthy soil. We will also discuss the win-win of soil health for sustainable management and for adaptation to increasingly variable Minnesota weather and climate.
(Time: 1:50) Introduction to soil health (1/3) webinars are prerequisites for the Minnesota Soil Health Field Day and Minnesota Soil Health Classroom Training to meet the Soil Health and Sustainability Training requirements of the Apprentice Conservation Planner and Certified Conservation Planner curricula.
Core NRCS Conservation Practices for Enhancing Soil Health
(Time: 1:10) This webinar focuses on how several core NRCS conservation practices can be used by farmers to improve soil health, linking them to the four soil health planning principles, i.e. minimizing disturbance, maximizing diversity, keeping a living root growing, and maintaining residue cover.
Pest Management From an Ecological Framework
No-till, cover crops, and diverse rotations are well known practices that can improve soil health. While they improve soil quality, these practices can simultaneously help build robust populations of soil invertebrates, including predatory species that can be allies in pest control. Unfortunately, many farmers trying to improve soil health appear to be inadvertently handicapping their farming systems by overusing pesticides, particularly insecticides and fungicides. Fortunately, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides an established economic framework for deploying pesticides as necessary. Our research suggests that incorporating IPM alongside other soil health practices maximizes the potential for farm fields to better withstand pest invasion while diminishing the potential for pesticides to degrade benefits provided by soil health practices.
Soil Quality - the Foundation for Resource Management
(Time: 1:55) Participants in the webinar learn about Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation planning principles to improve soil health and the impact soil health has on other resource concerns, such as water quality.
It's All About Carbon: Building a Thriving Soil Biological Community
A supplemental video for the 2021 Soil Health and Sustainability. Dennis Chessman of NRCS gives a presentation on Soil Carbon at the 2018 National No-Tillage Conference.
Mitigating Climate Change Through the Soil Carbon Sponge
Discovery Farms Programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota are excited to bring to you a virtual conference series this winter. Join us as we cover topics like water quality, soil health, climate change, and more!
MN NRCS Soil Health Training Resources
(Time will vary) This is a set of 30+ soil health related training resources that is maintained by MN NRCS.
Unlock the Secrets in the Soil
A series of 41 videos, mostly under five minutes each, that discuss various soil health topics and applications of soil health principles.
A series of 34 videos, mostly under five minutes each, that explain and simplify the scientific aspects of soil health.
(Time: 19:45) Hal Weiser, USDA, discusses how to improve soil structure and soil biology to maximize crop production.
Nobel Conference 54 - Living Soil: A Universe Underfoot (2018)
Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) hosted the 54th Nobel Conference on the Living Soil: A Universe Underfoot in 2018. This conference invited participants to consider the vast diversity and complexity of soil, and to ponder the challenges we face in protecting this most fundamental resource. Playlist includes all of the speaker presentations and panel discussions held during the two day conference.
This training module focuses on the types of erosion and the resource concerns associated with erosion. It orients participants to the types and processes of soil erosion to prepare them to utilize the current soil erosion models - RUSLE2 and WEPS.
Water Erosion Prediction with RUSLE2
This course provides an overview of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), and instructions on how to use the RUSLE2 model to estimate sheet and rill erosion.
Wind Erosion Prediction with WEPS
This course provides an overview of the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS), and instructions on how to use the WEPS model to estimate wind erosion.
Using RUSLE2 to Evaluate Soil Health Planning Principles
Nearly all NRCS field offices and many conservation partners use RUSLE2 for conservation planning. This webinar will provide participants a better understanding of the NRCS soil health planning process and how adjustments made within RUSLE2 directly relate to implementing a Soil Health Management System. The link between NRCS’ four soil health planning principles (minimize disturbance, maximize diversity, keep a living root growing, provide soil cover) and the Soil Tillage Intensity Rating, Soil Conditioning Index, tillage operations, vegetation, growth curves, residue type, climate impacts, and other data used in RUSLE2 will be explored. RUSLE2 worksheets and graphs to compare systems and soil health outcomes will also be presented. Understanding RUSLE2 management inputs and how they relate to soil health and reduce erosion will better prepare conservation planners to assist farmers seeking NRCS help with erosion control and applying a Soil Health Management System.
This webinar goes into the details of the five soil disturbing processes modeled in RUSLE2 (inversion, mixing, mixing with some inversion, lifting/fracturing, and compression). A video of a tillage implement in action for each of the processes is shown and discussed. The effects of the tillage types are demonstrated and discussed in a comparison between a conventional, reduced-till, and no-till corn/soybean rotation. Finally, the webinar ends with a very brief discussion of the economic factors that one should consider in making the move from a conventional to reduced-till or no-till system. This webinar was offered on-demand only to accommodate the use of videos. The videos are provided separately below for anyone having issues with the recording of this webinar.
A review of tools for estimating erosion, primary and secondary tillage equipment, and the effects of the equipment on erosion calculations, SCI and STIR.
Tillage Implements (AgLearn Access Required)
This course will review tillage calculation tools, primary tillage implements, and secondary tillage implements used in a corn/soybean setting.
Seeding and Planting Equipment
This course will review seeding and planting equipment used in a corn/soybean setting.
Seeding and Planting Equipment
This course will review seeding and planting equipment used in a corn/soybean setting.
Converting Your Planter for No-Till Operation
Series of 11 short videos highlighting various aspects of no-till planter set up (Iowa Learning Farms)
Myron Sylling & No-till Planter Set-up (SE MN)
Myron Sylling, a southeastern Minnesota farmer, describes how he sets up his no-till planter (Land Stewardship Project)
Innovations in Farm Equipment for Growing No-till and Strip-till Corn and Soybeans with Cover Crops
Producer Matt Tiffany talks with Holly Hatlewick, District Administrator, Renville SWCD about the innovative farm equipment that he uses to grow no-till and strip-till corn and soybeans with cover crops. Matt talks about the adjustments he has made to his Sunflower vertical tillage unit, his flexible twin bin strip-till equipment, and his fertilizer bander unit that he constructed from spare parts and uses for growing no-till corn. Videography by Dan Balluff.
Residue and Tillage Management in Organic Farming Systems: Central States
Decreasing tillage and maximizing plant residue are important practices to improve soil health and reduce erosion. In many organic farming systems these practices can be challenging to implement due to the use of tillage for weed control. Several Iowa organic producers will be interviewed about their management practices to maximize soil health and reduce erosion. Join this webinar for a discussion of these challenges and opportunities in the context of organic farms in Central states.
No-tilling Through High Residue Conditions
High biomass cover crops are a key to improving soil health, with many farmers growing an additional 10,000 lbs. or more of plant material resulting in a thick (>6") layer of mulch. These conditions require a different strategy for planting to ensure good seed to soil contact. This webinar will cover adjustments to planter, drills and other equipment to ensure good seed to soil contact.
The benefits of crop residue on the field can be maintained without being an obstacle to successful no-till planting (Penn State Extension)
Sustainable Ag 2020 4-H Academy presents "Measuring Crop Residue" demonstrating how to measure crop residue in the Putnam County field of Legan Family Farms.
Nutrient Management in No-Till Cropping Systems
(Time: 1:30:56) This video compares conventional and no-till cropping systems in regards to nutrient management, nutrient cycling, contamination pathways and covers specific considerations for nutrient management in no-till cropping systems.
Managing Cover Crops and No-till to Reduce Pest Problems
This webinar is the second in a series to help producers and conservationists determine what can be done to manage the habitat of potential pest. Timing of cover crop termination, use of "rotary hoes", and other simple tips that can help discourage pest like voles, slugs and army worms will be covered.
Patrick Carr, Montana State University, and Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin, discuss Organic No Till systems and how they work…or don’t work. Get a better understanding of crop rotations, management, weed control tactics, equipment and necessary modifications, cover crops and termination, nutrient and pest management, and much more that go into No till Organic systems.
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Residue and Tillage Management in Organic Farming Systems: Central States
Decreasing tillage and maximizing plant residue are important practices to improve soil health and reduce erosion. In many organic farming systems these practices can be challenging to implement due to the use of tillage for weed control. Several Iowa organic producers will be interviewed about their management practices to maximize soil health and reduce erosion. Join this webinar for a discussion of these challenges and opportunities in the context of organic farms in Central states.
No-tilling Through High Residue Conditions
High biomass cover crops are a key to improving soil health, with many farmers growing an additional 10,000 lbs. or more of plant material resulting in a thick (>6") layer of mulch. These conditions require a different strategy for planting to ensure good seed to soil contact. This webinar will cover adjustments to planter, drills and other equipment to ensure good seed to soil contact.
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Seeding and Planting Equipment
This course will review seeding and planting equipment used in a corn/soybean setting.
Seeding and Planting Equipment
This course will review seeding and planting equipment used in a corn/soybean setting.
Converting Your Planter for No-Till Operation
Series of 11 short videos highlighting various aspects of no-till planter set up (Iowa Learning Farms)
Myron Sylling & No-till Planter Set-up (SE MN)
Myron Sylling, a southeastern Minnesota farmer, describes how he sets up his no-till planter (Land Stewardship Project)
No-tilling Through High Residue Conditions
High biomass cover crops are a key to improving soil health, with many farmers growing an additional 10,000 lbs. or more of plant material resulting in a thick (>6") layer of mulch. These conditions require a different strategy for planting to ensure good seed to soil contact. This webinar will cover adjustments to planter, drills and other equipment to ensure good seed to soil contact.
The benefits of crop residue on the field can be maintained without being an obstacle to successful no-till planting (Penn State Extension)
Resources:
Equipment dealers
National Agronomy Manual (503.51 starts on page 164)
Sustainable Ag 2020 4-H Academy presents "Measuring Crop Residue" demonstrating how to measure crop residue in the Putnam County field of Legan Family Farms.
Tech Talk: Organic No Till Systems: Can it work?
Patrick Carr, Montana State University, and Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin, discuss Organic No Till systems and how they work…or don’t work. Get a better understanding of crop rotations, management, weed control tactics, equipment and necessary modifications, cover crops and termination, nutrient and pest management, and much more that go into No till Organic systems.
Tillage Tools and Practices in Organic Farming Systems
This document discusses tillage tools and practices in organic farming systems, focusing on methods to limit soil disturbance and enhance soil health. No Till discussion begins on page 8.