Tech Talks is a online training series organized by the Technical Training and Certification Program. Rotating speakers cover a wide variety of technical topics every Monday at 1:00.
Miss a session you were interested in? We record every presentation and make replays available in the Online Learning section of the TTCP website.
Follow these instructions to access the webinars:
1. Go to https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/k2/j.php?MTID=t4cff36c965dd6296bae80dfbe43cb361
2. Enter your name and email address (or registration ID).
3. Enter the session password: TTCP1234
4. Click "Join Now".
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
If you are joining to the audio by phone, dial 1-415-655-0003 after connecting above. The session code is 968 039 336, and your participant ID will be displayed on the Webex screen.
If you are having trouble connecting please call 651-358-5401 for assistance.
TTCP
United States
Tech Talks Schedule: Mondays at 1:00
| June 1 | Pasture Condition Scoresheet | Lance Smith and Jeff Duchene reviewed the use of the Pasture Condition Scoresheet and the purpose and applicability of pasture scoring in pasture management, conservation planning, and CART assessments. This introductory training is a pre-requisite for the in-field sessions schedule for the first two weeks of June. A replay of this session and reference materials are available here. |
| June 8 | Nutrient Management Module 3: Spatial Layers for Sensitive Features | Laurie Svien, TTCP Training Conservationist, reviews the sensitive features spatial layers, Agronomy Tech Note 32, and other resources used to develop nutrient management plans when sensitive features are present. A replay of this session and additional resources are available here. |
| June 15 | Introduction to HEC-HMS | Amanda Deans, BWSR Regional Training Engineer, demonstrates a simple HEC-HMS model. She models a simple drainage area and compare the discharge values from HEC-HMS to EFH2 to show how utilizing storage in a drainage area effects the peak flows. A replay of this session and additional resources are available here. |
| June 22 | Evaluating Seed Mixes |
Karin Jokela with the Xerces Society evaluates example vendor seed mixes to determine if they meet the practice standard using the MN NRCS seed calculator Excel spreadsheet. In addition, seed mixes were evaluated for other characteristics such as longevity, diversity, season long pollinator benefits and balance among species. A replay of this session and additional resources are available here. |
| June 29 | Introduction to HydroCAD | Amanda Deans, BWSR Regional Training Engineer, will demonstrate a simple HydroCAD model. She will be using the same simple drainage area from the ‘Intro to HEC-HMS’ Tech Talk to demonstrate the difference between HEC-HMS and HydroCAD, as well as to show how utilizing storage in a drainage area is completed using HydroCAD. |
| July 6 | Nutrient Management Module 9: Waste Storage Design Related Inventory | Patrick Schultz, TTCP Training Engineer, will discuss the planning criteria, site information, and details needing to be inventoried for both nutrient management plans and manure storage design considerations with the goal of aligning the Nutrient Management Plan and the Manure Storage Design into a cohesive management system. This session is part the Nutrient Management (PS590) training track, and other sessions can be found in the Online Learning page. |
| July 13 | Grazing Facilitating Practices - Part 1 | Grazing and engineering staff will cover the use, planning, and design of commonly used practices to facilitate prescribed grazing systems. This webinar is available to everyone, but it is a pre-requisite for the field training scheduled for the last week of July. Practices covered in this webinar include: Fence (PS382), Heavy Use Area Protection (PS561), Trails and Walkways (PS575), and Stream Crossing (PS578). |
| July 20 | Grazing Facilitating Practices - Part 2 | Grazing and engineering staff will cover the use, planning, and design of commonly used practices to facilitate prescribed grazing systems. This webinar is available to everyone, but it is a pre-requisite for the field training scheduled for the last week of July. Practices covered in this webinar include: Water Well (PS642), Pumping Plant (PS533), Pipeline (PS516), and Watering Facility (PS614). |
| July 27 | Nutrient Management Module 7: Manure | Join George Schwint, MPCA, to learn about nutrient management planning with manure. George will review manure testing, credits, current impairments, loss pathways, feedlot and land application rules, and practices to reduce movement. |
| August 3 | WHEG for Pollinator Habitat | Karin Jokela with the Xerces Society will provide an overview of the monarch habitat evaluation guide (WHEG). She will demonstrate how to assess various herbaceous plant communities to determine insecticide risks, weed management risks, milkweed stem density, forb cover, and forb richness. Tips on plant ID and support tools will also be provided. |
| August 10 | Evaluating Herbicide Plans in a Soil Health System | Description coming soon! |
| MORNING August 17 | Equipment Modifications for Cover Crops | NRCS State Soil Health Specialist Kristin Brennan will host a farmer panel including Brady Wulf of Starbuck, Ryan Hough of Barnesville and David Miller of Red Lake to discuss equipment modifications they have made to facilitate the integration of a soil health system into their farming operations. |
| AFTERNOON August 17 | Coming soon! | |
| August 24 | Fertilization in a Soil Health System | Description coming soon! |
| August 31 | Nutrient Management Module 5: Nitrogen | Larry Gunerson, Travis Hirman, and Kevin Hauth from MDA will review the nitrogen considerations for nutrient management planning. This session will cover current impairments, loss pathways, ground water protection rules, nitrogen loss assessments, and practices to reduce movement. |