from Corn and Soybean Digest

[dennis1]

Focused on the Soil
Dec. 31, 2012 By Dean Houghton | Corn and Soybean Digest

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Focused on the Soil
Maximize microbes
Reduce input expenses
Add the livestock component

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Soil

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2013 Conservation Legacy Awards: Midwest Region: Gail Fuller

Gail Fuller is a farmer by occupation; he also is equal parts philosopher and futurist. This Emporia, Kan., farmer quotes an ancient philosopher: “To be a successful farmer, one must first know the nature of the soil,” he says, quoting Xenophon of Athens, a Greek author who wrote those words nearly 2,500 years ago. From Fuller’s point of view, “knowing the soil” has slipped pretty far down the priority list in today’s agriculture. But it is job one at Fuller Farms.

“Soil health has become the main focus of everything we are doing with our farm,” Fuller says. “I have been continuous no-tilling on 100% of the farm since 1995. We realized that no-till wasn’t the final step – it was just the first step in our journey. The next step was bringing in cover crops, starting in 2004.”

Gail Fuller has become a leader and great source of information on soil health, says Brian Lindley, executive director of No-till on the Plains. “He has evolved into a clearinghouse of cropping information through relationships he has formed with other producers and scientists worldwide.”

Fuller is a popular speaker, drawing crowds who hear him talk about his successes – as well as his failures – in pushing the envelope to build soil health. He also admits to being a bit of a polarizing figure when he shares his forthright – some would say blunt – opinions about how agriculture should change course to meet its future challenges. “Most farmers think I’m an idiot,” Fuller says.

But then, most farmers haven’t yet had the chance to follow Fuller out to a secluded spot in a random field to watch him slip a spade into the soil. East-central Kansas isn’t known as a garden spot – technically, these aren’t even Corn Belt soils – but Fuller’s shovel turns up the kind of ground that would make any gardener proud. It’s black and blocky, and full of fat, juicy earthworms.

“When I started no-tilling, I was told that in about three years the earthworms would show up – that would be the key to no-till, getting the earthworms introduced,” Fuller recalls. “Now, if I don’t dig up a spade full of soil and find three or four earthworms, it’s a bad day,” he continues. “We want as many as we can get. The only way to get the earthworms is to have a living root in the soil; and that’s our goal, to have something living on every acre, all the time.”

[glowplug]

Got my issue of John Deere's FURROW magazine today. (figure there's some poor guys farming with red tractors who might not see this

http://www.slideshare.net/jbgruver/u...ound-livestock


GP

[48]

Dennis: Emporia gets a lot more rain than we do.

Fuller said: "“When I started no-tilling, I was told that in about three years the earthworms would show up – that would be the key to no-till, getting the earthworms introduced,” Fuller recalls. “Now, if I don’t dig up a spade full of soil and find three or four earthworms, it’s a bad day,” he continues. “We want as many as we can get. The only way to get the earthworms is to have a living root in the soil; and that’s our goal, to have something living on every acre, all the time.”

To have earthworms, you have to have MOIST soil. Out here the CC would use that moisture up. Back in the '60's my relatives loved to fish. We would deliberately over fill/run over one of the stock tanks...just so we had a place to dig worms.

GP's URL on earthworms says for Prairie Soils: "10-50, arid or semi-arid areas may have none."

Soooooo...if your goal is to have earth worms....quit using up the subsoil moisture with CC.

[steffy]

I've been no-tilling for over 20 yrs.My Irr crops are rotated corn and beans.My earth worm pops are high even in dryland.I don't use cover crops.I want to conserve our moisture as it is a very precious commodity in these parts.

[db51]

What's an earthworm?

[r3020]

Haven't you heard Db, earth worms are the latest thing to cause global warming?

[glowplug]

Earthworms are the absolute greatest. You dig 'em up, and go fishing. Thread the squiggy darlings on a number 8 hook and catch perch and bluegills with them.

It's a learning process db51. You start out as an apprentice baiter. As you gain experience, you'll be a master baiter in no time at all.

[48]

I've been no-tilling for over 20 yrs.My Irr crops are rotated corn and beans.My earth worm pops are high even in dryland.I don't use cover crops.I want to conserve our moisture as it is a very precious commodity in these parts.

steffy: Thank You! And...you get a lot more rain than me and Dennis.

[glowplug]

Kissimmee, Florida, USA
March 1, 2013

Fred Below, Ph.D., Professor of Crop Physiology, University of Illinois, and AJ Woodyard, Technical Crop Production Specialist, BASF, shared their latest data about how farmers can nearly double their yields with a comprehensive pest management plan, during an educational session titled “Six Secrets of Soybeans Revealed,” at Commodity Classic.

While both Below and BASF conducted research independent of each other, their results were very similar: growers can maximize yields by using a comprehensive agronomic management program featuring a combination of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.

“Comprehensive pest-management solutions are delivering exponential yield improvements and dramatically changing the odds in favor of farmers,” said Woodyard, who summarized recent BASF research.

Woodyard highlighted studies that consisted of a combination treatment of BASF herbicides and fungicides in corn, and BASF herbicides, fungicides and insecticides in soybeans, and compared their effectiveness to a glyphosate-based control program. Results revealed soybean yields increased by an average of 6.0 bu/A over the glyphosate-only program.1

According to Below, the current average soybean yield in the U.S. is roughly 42 bu/A, and has been hovering around that figure for the past few years. “While it may seem daunting, the quest for 85.0 bu/A isn’t a stretch. Yields of this nature are produced each year in state contests, so we know it can be done,” Below said. “The trick is figuring out how to consistently produce these yield levels, and our research has identified six strategies to help accomplish this task.”

In 2012, Below and his team at the University of Illinois set up multi-location trials in their home state to analyze the value of management factors that contribute to soybean yield.2 What they discovered were six “secrets” that are critical for achieving high yield goals:

Weather: While weather is out of anyone’s control, Below’s team found that it influences the success of all other management factors. Management practices that promote strong root development, such as fertility, enhanced seed emergence and disease control, may help mitigate its negative effects.

Improve soil fertility: Below believes that soil fertility is one of the most important, yet often overlooked components of high yield soybean production. Improved soil fertility can be managed through balanced crop nutrition and fertilizer placement technologies. Below’s 2012 research revealed an additional 4.3bu/A with this secret.

Maximize genetic yield potential: Similar to corn hybrids, Below believes that proper selection of soybean varieties is crucial for success in a management intensive, high yield production system. Below’s 2012 research revealed an additional 3.2 bu/A with this secret.

Protect yield potential and maximize seed size: “Disease and insect control is imperative for producing any crop,” Below said. “By using a combination of a fungicide and insecticide, critical soybean leaf area is maintained for intercepting sunlight and maximizing seed fill.” Below’s 2012 research revealed an additional 3.6 bu/A with this secret.

Enhance seed emergence and vigor: Through the use of fungicidal, insecticidal and plant growth regulator seed treatments, early season growth and vigor will be protected from yield robbing stresses such as disease and insects. Below’s 2012 research revealed an additional 2.6 bu/A with this secret.

Utilize narrow row spacing: Below believes there are distinct advantages to planting narrow rows, specifically 20 inch rows. This would allow precision fertilizer placement in a corn-soybean rotation. “Planting soybean on these same rows might take advantage of the previous year’s corn fertility practices. Furthermore, 20 inch rows improve light interception and ultimately provide a good foundation for maximizing yields,” he said. Below’s 2012 research revealed an additional 2.1 bu/A with this secret.

Woodyard suggests that growers interested in high-yield soybean production should put together a season-long road map for their acres. “Early in the season, growers should set aside time to develop a full-season plan on how they’re going to get the most out of every acre,” said Woodyard.

For more information on Below and his research, visit http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu/.