Minnesota has an interim goal of 20% reduction in nitrate-N load in Minnesota waters by 2025. One structural drainage practice that can immediately contribute to nitrate reduction is the woodchip bioreactor.
SMSU has 15 acres of land made available by a local alumni and farmer. 2019 will be the fifth season this plot has been established and available for SMSU students for hands on learning. As well as learning, contractedresearch has been performed for Agricultural Companies on these acres.
Commodity crop production in Minnesota is under scrutiny to reduce impacts of nitrogen fertilizer on groundwater. There is an extensive body of research documenting fertilizer as a source of nitrate in groundwater (http://www.mda.state.mn.us/fertilizer-source-nitrate-groundwater) .
This research project will evaluate strip tillage and its ability to improve soil health, while also maintaining crop production yields and farm profitability. We will utilize three fields of roughly 75 acres each.
This project will investigate the different techniques which test for nitrates following the removal of a corn crop. Each of the techniques will sample at depths of 0-6”, 6-24”, and 24-48”.
I practice strip-till in corn and soybeans. Also practice no-till in soybeans where fertility is not a limiting factor. It is my objective to eliminate the fall strip-till operation for the following years soybean crop by applying the phosphorous & potassium at side dress of the com crop.
Teralytic Soil probes will be available in limited supplies for the 2019 growing season. Teralytic soil probes use 26 proprietary sensors measuring nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, soil moisture, salinity, soil temp and PH every 15 minutes at depths of 6″, 18″, and 36″ in the soil.
500 E Travelers Trail, Suite 600
Burnsville, MN 55337
P: (952) 233-0333
F: (952) 233-0420
info@mncorn.org
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