The challenge of collecting a representative soil sample
Soil testing should be the first step for a good nutrient management program, but it all starts with the proper sample collection procedure. Do you know how to take a representative soil sample?
Soil Health Spotlight: Soil structure and aggregation
Do you know the difference between the terms soil structure and soil aggregation? What is the relationship between soil aggregation and soil health? What management practices promote aggregation in soils? Get answers to these questions and more in this article from doctoral student Laura Starr.
Soil versus air temperatures: Understanding the relationship
During the bitterly cold period in mid-February, air temperatures dropped as low as -30 F in some locations. Soil temperatures, however, did not get near that cold. Several interacting factors control soil temperature flux. Learn some basic principles about soil temperature changes in this article.
soil soil moisture soil temperature crop residue freezing temperatures
Learn how to examine soil for signs of compaction
Every year, questions arise about soil compaction. Compaction can reduce plant growth, reduce root penetration, restrict water and air movement in the soil, result in nutrient stresses, and cause slow seedling emergence. Now is a good time to check soils for signs of compaction.
Emergency tillage for wind erosion concerns
Cropland can be quite susceptible to wind erosion under some conditions. Cooler-than-normal temperatures and drought conditions may limit vegetative growth and cover. Burning or removing crop residues for forage creates a particularly serious hazard. Winter wheat and other fall-planted crop fields also may be susceptible during periods of low cover in the winter and early spring. This is particularly true during drought.
Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool: A new free tool for producers
There is a new option in the toolbox for producers looking to implement a new soil health practice. The Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool is a free tool that was recently developed by the Soil Health Nexus and a regional advisory team with support from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. It is designed to assess the effects of current and future management practices on soil health. Producers can use this comparative tool to get an overall feel for practices that benefit soil health and learn which management decisions may be the best fit for their operation.
Natural Resources Conservation Service unveils a new website
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently unveiled an updated website.The website has been designed with the conservation program user in mind. The goals of the new website are to support and enhance the NRCS mission by delivering relevant, timely, customer-focused information in an easy-to-navigate platform. Check it out!
Soil Pit Field Day set for March 24
A farmer-led Soil Pit Field Day is set for March 24 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm near Westmoreland, Kansas. Participants will visit three soil pits on three differently managed field to answer the question, “What is really going on down there?”. Featured speakers include DeAnn Presley, K-State soil management specialist, and Will Boyer, K-State watershed specialist.