This three paragraph summary provides the high level information from the 7-page document:
Ridge tillage continues to grow rapidly across the Midwest corn belt despite economic challenges. Farmers are adopting ridge tillage to significantly reduce machinery, fuel, labor, and input costs. They are able to save an estimated $20 or more per acre compared to conventional tillage systems. Leonard Binstock of Minnesota converted his 1,250 acre farm to ridge tillage, spending $4,700 to update his equipment but saving over $4,300 per year in fuel costs alone. His simplified machinery lineup and reduced trips over fields have also significantly lowered repair expenses. Ridge tillage allows farmers to more efficiently plant, cultivate, and
Precipitated silica is a synthetic form of silicon dioxide that is used in various industries. It is commonly used in rubber products like tires to provide better performance and mileage. Precipitated silica is also used as an anti-caking agent in food and to convert liquids into powders for animal feed. Additionally, it is used in paints as a flattening agent and in agricultural products to aid in dispersing active ingredients.
High purity quartz is a key material for our modern world. This presentation discusses the various purity levels of quartz and what are the contaminants of concern (measured in PPM) including various elements such as iron, boron and phosphorous and inclusions of solids, liquids and gaseous. The leading producers of these products are few in number and not all quartz deposits can be upgraded making several technical challenges for the industry. Hot chlorination and chemical leaching is discussed and the key end uses of pure quartz are mentioned including crucibles, optical glass for lens / fibres, halogen lamps and quartz glass etc. Spherical silica fillers for micro-electronics are also discussed. With the rise of PV globally quartz will remain an important mineral for the foreseeable future.
Presented at China's Industrial Minerals & Markets conference by Murray Lines of Stratum Resources
A mitre joint cuts two pieces of material at an angle so they meet neatly at corners. Scribe joints are used for internal mitres to hide movement over time, with one piece cut square and the other cut to follow the contour. Different types of mitres include stop-end mitres to hide end grain, bastard mitres for unequal widths, and scarf joints to conceal joins. Raked mouldings are needed when surfaces are not square, with a different projection and drop from standard mouldings. Efficiency in installation involves measuring all areas first before cutting and installing all pieces at once.
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help boost feelings of calmness, happiness and focus.
The document provides data on demonstrated coal reserves in the United States by state and type of coal for 1997. It shows that the largest demonstrated reserves are in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, consisting primarily of subbituminous and lignite coal. Total demonstrated reserves in the US were over 500 billion short tons. The quality and energy content of coal varies by type, from over 14,000 BTU/lb for anthracite to around 7,000 BTU/lb for lignite. Extraction and use of coal resources provides energy but also environmental challenges from solids, air pollution, and other contaminants that require controls.
Granite is a widely occurring type of intrusive igneous rock that forms from the cooling of magma underground. It is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar minerals. Granite occurs globally and makes up a major part of continental crust. It forms large plutons and batholiths associated with mountain ranges. Granite has been used in construction for thousands of years in landmarks like the Egyptian pyramids and Hindu temples in India. Modern uses include gravestones, monuments, and building stone due to its hardness and durability.
SUSTAINABLE MINING MINERAL EXTRACTION (MINING INDUSTRY)shahzadebaujiti
This document provides information on mining methods, distribution of minerals worldwide, and case studies on gold and diamond mining in South Africa. It discusses how minerals are classified as metallic and non-metallic. Major metallic minerals discussed include gold, copper, iron, and aluminum. Coal is a prominent non-metallic mineral found in countries like the US, China, and South Africa. Gold and diamond mining are highlighted case studies with details provided on locations, extraction methods, processing, and economic contributions in South Africa.
This document provides installation guidelines for Woodhouse Timber Company's Weatherproof cladding boards. It discusses the sizes and profiles available, requirements under the National Construction Code regarding structural performance and weatherproofing, fire safety considerations for different building classes, bushfire rating requirements, and guidelines for proper storage, handling, acclimation and installation to allow for moisture movement of the timber cladding over time. Attention to flashing, sealing cuts and ends, and designing for drainage is advised to protect the cladding from expansion and shrinkage due to changes in moisture content.
Precipitated silica is a synthetic form of silicon dioxide that is used in various industries. It is commonly used in rubber products like tires to provide better performance and mileage. Precipitated silica is also used as an anti-caking agent in food and to convert liquids into powders for animal feed. Additionally, it is used in paints as a flattening agent and in agricultural products to aid in dispersing active ingredients.
High purity quartz is a key material for our modern world. This presentation discusses the various purity levels of quartz and what are the contaminants of concern (measured in PPM) including various elements such as iron, boron and phosphorous and inclusions of solids, liquids and gaseous. The leading producers of these products are few in number and not all quartz deposits can be upgraded making several technical challenges for the industry. Hot chlorination and chemical leaching is discussed and the key end uses of pure quartz are mentioned including crucibles, optical glass for lens / fibres, halogen lamps and quartz glass etc. Spherical silica fillers for micro-electronics are also discussed. With the rise of PV globally quartz will remain an important mineral for the foreseeable future.
Presented at China's Industrial Minerals & Markets conference by Murray Lines of Stratum Resources
A mitre joint cuts two pieces of material at an angle so they meet neatly at corners. Scribe joints are used for internal mitres to hide movement over time, with one piece cut square and the other cut to follow the contour. Different types of mitres include stop-end mitres to hide end grain, bastard mitres for unequal widths, and scarf joints to conceal joins. Raked mouldings are needed when surfaces are not square, with a different projection and drop from standard mouldings. Efficiency in installation involves measuring all areas first before cutting and installing all pieces at once.
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help boost feelings of calmness, happiness and focus.
The document provides data on demonstrated coal reserves in the United States by state and type of coal for 1997. It shows that the largest demonstrated reserves are in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, consisting primarily of subbituminous and lignite coal. Total demonstrated reserves in the US were over 500 billion short tons. The quality and energy content of coal varies by type, from over 14,000 BTU/lb for anthracite to around 7,000 BTU/lb for lignite. Extraction and use of coal resources provides energy but also environmental challenges from solids, air pollution, and other contaminants that require controls.
Granite is a widely occurring type of intrusive igneous rock that forms from the cooling of magma underground. It is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar minerals. Granite occurs globally and makes up a major part of continental crust. It forms large plutons and batholiths associated with mountain ranges. Granite has been used in construction for thousands of years in landmarks like the Egyptian pyramids and Hindu temples in India. Modern uses include gravestones, monuments, and building stone due to its hardness and durability.
SUSTAINABLE MINING MINERAL EXTRACTION (MINING INDUSTRY)shahzadebaujiti
This document provides information on mining methods, distribution of minerals worldwide, and case studies on gold and diamond mining in South Africa. It discusses how minerals are classified as metallic and non-metallic. Major metallic minerals discussed include gold, copper, iron, and aluminum. Coal is a prominent non-metallic mineral found in countries like the US, China, and South Africa. Gold and diamond mining are highlighted case studies with details provided on locations, extraction methods, processing, and economic contributions in South Africa.
This document provides installation guidelines for Woodhouse Timber Company's Weatherproof cladding boards. It discusses the sizes and profiles available, requirements under the National Construction Code regarding structural performance and weatherproofing, fire safety considerations for different building classes, bushfire rating requirements, and guidelines for proper storage, handling, acclimation and installation to allow for moisture movement of the timber cladding over time. Attention to flashing, sealing cuts and ends, and designing for drainage is advised to protect the cladding from expansion and shrinkage due to changes in moisture content.
I shared this presentation at the Northern IL Farm show on 1/12/2012.
It contains some new slides specific to N IL but also many slides recycled from other presentations
USDA raised its estimate of the 2012 U.S. corn crop slightly to 10.726 billion bushels. The agency increased the estimated national corn yield to 122.3 bushels per acre. USDA also added another 25 million bushels to projected corn imports for 2012, now at 100 million bushels, shattering the previous record. Year-end corn stocks are estimated at 647 million bushels, only 5.8% of total usage, the third lowest ever. Soybean futures prices fell sharply after USDA increased its estimate of the 2012 U.S. soybean crop to 2.971 billion bushels, over 1 bushel higher than analysts expected, on an estimated yield
1. The document discusses the potential for Latin America to become a major global supplier of rice, the world's most important staple crop, to help meet rising global demand.
2. For Latin America to realize this potential, yields would need to increase to 7 tons per hectare and costs of production would need to lower to $1,000 per hectare to compete globally.
3. Significant investments in agricultural research and development as well as stable trade policies would be required for Latin America to capitalize on its land and water resources and become a future "rice bowl" region.
Sustainable Cotton Production for the Humid SouthGardening
This document discusses sustainable cotton production practices for the humid South, focusing on ways to improve soil health and profitability over the long term. It recommends using no-till, cover crops, and crop rotations to build soil organic matter, reduce erosion, and break pest cycles while saving costs on fertilizers and pesticides. Cover crops like rye, black oats, and lupines provide "solar fertilizer" by fixing nitrogen in the soil. No-till combined with crop rotation and manure application improves the sustainability of individual farms and farm communities.
This is the presentation about the Pierce Conservation District's Agricultural Assistance Program presented by Sarah Wilcox at the June 18 Nisqually River Council meeting.
Farm Conservation Communities aim to preserve farmland and revitalize rural areas. Most farmers are over 65, few under 35, and 75% have no successor. This threatens farmland as over 600 million US/Canadian acres will change hands in 20 years. Farm Conservation Communities involve moving communities to farms, increasing rural economic activity and supporting new farmers while preserving landscapes. Examples include developments with farms as amenities that realize premium lot prices. Conservation farming markets could infuse $60 million annually into PEI's $300 million food economy if local food purchases increased 20%.
Agriculture is becoming more complex globally with rising standards, environmental regulations, and competition. Queensland agriculture specifically faces challenges including older farmers with limited business skills, a research system focused on commodities rather than high-value products, and declining competitiveness in some industries. To address this, the document recommends that Queensland promote training in business and IT skills for farmers, facilitate cooperative models, and focus research and development on commercializing new technologies and products to meet evolving global demand.
Agriculture is becoming more complex globally with rising standards, environmental regulations, and increasing competition. Australian agriculture specifically faces challenges including older farmers with limited business skills, a research system focused on commodities rather than high-value products, and less government support for extension services. To improve Queensland agriculture will require preparing farmers for change through education on business skills and new technologies, promoting cooperative models, and ensuring research and development leads to commercialization.
Home Grown Cow (http://www.homegrowncow.com?src=slideshare) is the first national web site focused on connecting meat, poultry and cheese producers with customers who care where their meat comes from. We welcome all farms and all farming practices as our goal is to offer as much choice as possible to our customers. We also empower many small farms to use the Internet to market and sell their products.
Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland Gardening
This document summarizes the process of converting cropland to perennial grassland. It discusses establishing pasture on croplands and managing established pastures. Key points include:
- Switching to perennial grassland can reduce risks, stress, costs while improving soil health by reducing erosion and building organic matter.
- Economic analysis should compare costs of crop vs livestock enterprises and establish grazing infrastructure costs. Weed control is important prior to establishing grassland.
- Methods of establishing pasture include using nurse crops, cultural practices, or conventional seeding. Management after includes grazing or haying with attention to not overgrazing early in establishment.
The document discusses the state of ranching in the western United States. It notes that nearly 109 million acres of private ranchland exist, and 85% of public lands in the interior west, totaling 300 million acres, are used for grazing cattle and sheep. However, western ranchlands are facing difficulties due to economics and land conversion, with over 1.6 million acres lost per year, 45% of which are converted to urban uses. Many current western ranchers are over 55 years old and prioritize tradition, values and family over profits from cattle production alone. The demographic changes in the west could impact future ranching.
The document summarizes a presentation given by Dennis Todey on changing climate conditions and impacts on water management. Some key points:
- Todey discusses the work of USDA Climate Hubs in conducting assessments and outreach to enable climate-informed decisions for agriculture. The Midwest Climate Hub works with partners and stakeholders to provide information to help producers cope with climate change.
- Climate-impacted issues for agriculture in the Midwest include more extreme weather events, increased variability in precipitation, and larger potential for soil loss from heavier rains. Precipitation trends show wetter springs and falls but drought remains an issue in summers.
- Projected changes include more precipitation in winter and spring but less in summer
This document summarizes a report about the unintended consequences of the Renewable Fuel Standard on land, wildlife, and water quality. It finds that the increased demand for corn driven by the RFS led farmers to convert over 7 million acres of native habitat like prairie and wetlands to cropland. This habitat loss negatively impacted many species like waterfowl, grassland birds, and pollinators. The expansion of corn production and lack of buffer strips also degraded water quality in many regions. While the goals of the RFS were intended to boost renewable fuels and reduce emissions, the policy has largely failed to achieve significant emissions reductions and instead contributed to serious environmental impacts.
Think Globally Eat Locally Final Report 8-23-08 | American Farmland TrustAmerican Farmland Trust
Eating locally-grown food has become quite a phenomenon. It tastes better and it’s better for you, family farmers and the planet. This paper explores the plausibility of eating globally and locally in the San Francisco Foodshed.
2018 Open Space Conference - The Importance of Working Lands in a Changing WorldOpenSpaceCouncil
*Please note that animations in this presentations are not visible when viewed through Slideshare.
- Kara Heckert, California State Director, American Farmland Trust
- Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture
- Jamison Watts, Executive Director, Marin Agricultural Land Trust
- Loren Poncia, Owner and Producer, Stemple Creek Ranch
These panelists spoke at the 2018 Open Space Conference - Conservation in a Time of Change - on May 10, 2018 at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA. More info on the website: http://openspacecouncil.org/community-events/conference/
This document discusses various topics related to agricultural transformation and rural development, including: the role of agriculture in economic development; issues of land tenure, reform, and increasing agricultural productivity; mobilizing agricultural inputs through initiatives like rural banking; and the impact of government policies like agricultural price controls. It provides an overview of traditional agricultural techniques, challenges in food supply, and strategies for modernizing agriculture through packages of machinery, fertilizer, and improved crop varieties.
The document discusses the importance of customary land (CL) systems in Pacific communities. Some key points made are:
1. CL provides food security, shelter, employment and stores biodiversity, while modern land systems have displaced people and degraded environments.
2. Pacific peoples have resisted attempts to impose individual land titling systems promoted by international organizations and companies.
3. Subsistence values from CL, along with incomes from informal cash crops, exceed formal sector wages in many Pacific countries.
4. CL systems have maintained food security in the Pacific region, unlike countries exposed to imported food that have experienced malnutrition.
Sarah Marx was interviewed about her career in agriculture. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska and was involved in 4-H for 12 years. Now she works in accounting and quality control at a milling company. She enjoys communicating with people and incorporating her math skills. Agriculture has always been an interest for her. To prepare for a career in agriculture, she is obtaining certifications in Microsoft programs and gaining experience in communication.
I shared this presentation at the Northern IL Farm show on 1/12/2012.
It contains some new slides specific to N IL but also many slides recycled from other presentations
USDA raised its estimate of the 2012 U.S. corn crop slightly to 10.726 billion bushels. The agency increased the estimated national corn yield to 122.3 bushels per acre. USDA also added another 25 million bushels to projected corn imports for 2012, now at 100 million bushels, shattering the previous record. Year-end corn stocks are estimated at 647 million bushels, only 5.8% of total usage, the third lowest ever. Soybean futures prices fell sharply after USDA increased its estimate of the 2012 U.S. soybean crop to 2.971 billion bushels, over 1 bushel higher than analysts expected, on an estimated yield
1. The document discusses the potential for Latin America to become a major global supplier of rice, the world's most important staple crop, to help meet rising global demand.
2. For Latin America to realize this potential, yields would need to increase to 7 tons per hectare and costs of production would need to lower to $1,000 per hectare to compete globally.
3. Significant investments in agricultural research and development as well as stable trade policies would be required for Latin America to capitalize on its land and water resources and become a future "rice bowl" region.
Sustainable Cotton Production for the Humid SouthGardening
This document discusses sustainable cotton production practices for the humid South, focusing on ways to improve soil health and profitability over the long term. It recommends using no-till, cover crops, and crop rotations to build soil organic matter, reduce erosion, and break pest cycles while saving costs on fertilizers and pesticides. Cover crops like rye, black oats, and lupines provide "solar fertilizer" by fixing nitrogen in the soil. No-till combined with crop rotation and manure application improves the sustainability of individual farms and farm communities.
This is the presentation about the Pierce Conservation District's Agricultural Assistance Program presented by Sarah Wilcox at the June 18 Nisqually River Council meeting.
Farm Conservation Communities aim to preserve farmland and revitalize rural areas. Most farmers are over 65, few under 35, and 75% have no successor. This threatens farmland as over 600 million US/Canadian acres will change hands in 20 years. Farm Conservation Communities involve moving communities to farms, increasing rural economic activity and supporting new farmers while preserving landscapes. Examples include developments with farms as amenities that realize premium lot prices. Conservation farming markets could infuse $60 million annually into PEI's $300 million food economy if local food purchases increased 20%.
Agriculture is becoming more complex globally with rising standards, environmental regulations, and competition. Queensland agriculture specifically faces challenges including older farmers with limited business skills, a research system focused on commodities rather than high-value products, and declining competitiveness in some industries. To address this, the document recommends that Queensland promote training in business and IT skills for farmers, facilitate cooperative models, and focus research and development on commercializing new technologies and products to meet evolving global demand.
Agriculture is becoming more complex globally with rising standards, environmental regulations, and increasing competition. Australian agriculture specifically faces challenges including older farmers with limited business skills, a research system focused on commodities rather than high-value products, and less government support for extension services. To improve Queensland agriculture will require preparing farmers for change through education on business skills and new technologies, promoting cooperative models, and ensuring research and development leads to commercialization.
Home Grown Cow (http://www.homegrowncow.com?src=slideshare) is the first national web site focused on connecting meat, poultry and cheese producers with customers who care where their meat comes from. We welcome all farms and all farming practices as our goal is to offer as much choice as possible to our customers. We also empower many small farms to use the Internet to market and sell their products.
Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland Gardening
This document summarizes the process of converting cropland to perennial grassland. It discusses establishing pasture on croplands and managing established pastures. Key points include:
- Switching to perennial grassland can reduce risks, stress, costs while improving soil health by reducing erosion and building organic matter.
- Economic analysis should compare costs of crop vs livestock enterprises and establish grazing infrastructure costs. Weed control is important prior to establishing grassland.
- Methods of establishing pasture include using nurse crops, cultural practices, or conventional seeding. Management after includes grazing or haying with attention to not overgrazing early in establishment.
The document discusses the state of ranching in the western United States. It notes that nearly 109 million acres of private ranchland exist, and 85% of public lands in the interior west, totaling 300 million acres, are used for grazing cattle and sheep. However, western ranchlands are facing difficulties due to economics and land conversion, with over 1.6 million acres lost per year, 45% of which are converted to urban uses. Many current western ranchers are over 55 years old and prioritize tradition, values and family over profits from cattle production alone. The demographic changes in the west could impact future ranching.
The document summarizes a presentation given by Dennis Todey on changing climate conditions and impacts on water management. Some key points:
- Todey discusses the work of USDA Climate Hubs in conducting assessments and outreach to enable climate-informed decisions for agriculture. The Midwest Climate Hub works with partners and stakeholders to provide information to help producers cope with climate change.
- Climate-impacted issues for agriculture in the Midwest include more extreme weather events, increased variability in precipitation, and larger potential for soil loss from heavier rains. Precipitation trends show wetter springs and falls but drought remains an issue in summers.
- Projected changes include more precipitation in winter and spring but less in summer
This document summarizes a report about the unintended consequences of the Renewable Fuel Standard on land, wildlife, and water quality. It finds that the increased demand for corn driven by the RFS led farmers to convert over 7 million acres of native habitat like prairie and wetlands to cropland. This habitat loss negatively impacted many species like waterfowl, grassland birds, and pollinators. The expansion of corn production and lack of buffer strips also degraded water quality in many regions. While the goals of the RFS were intended to boost renewable fuels and reduce emissions, the policy has largely failed to achieve significant emissions reductions and instead contributed to serious environmental impacts.
Think Globally Eat Locally Final Report 8-23-08 | American Farmland TrustAmerican Farmland Trust
Eating locally-grown food has become quite a phenomenon. It tastes better and it’s better for you, family farmers and the planet. This paper explores the plausibility of eating globally and locally in the San Francisco Foodshed.
2018 Open Space Conference - The Importance of Working Lands in a Changing WorldOpenSpaceCouncil
*Please note that animations in this presentations are not visible when viewed through Slideshare.
- Kara Heckert, California State Director, American Farmland Trust
- Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture
- Jamison Watts, Executive Director, Marin Agricultural Land Trust
- Loren Poncia, Owner and Producer, Stemple Creek Ranch
These panelists spoke at the 2018 Open Space Conference - Conservation in a Time of Change - on May 10, 2018 at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA. More info on the website: http://openspacecouncil.org/community-events/conference/
This document discusses various topics related to agricultural transformation and rural development, including: the role of agriculture in economic development; issues of land tenure, reform, and increasing agricultural productivity; mobilizing agricultural inputs through initiatives like rural banking; and the impact of government policies like agricultural price controls. It provides an overview of traditional agricultural techniques, challenges in food supply, and strategies for modernizing agriculture through packages of machinery, fertilizer, and improved crop varieties.
The document discusses the importance of customary land (CL) systems in Pacific communities. Some key points made are:
1. CL provides food security, shelter, employment and stores biodiversity, while modern land systems have displaced people and degraded environments.
2. Pacific peoples have resisted attempts to impose individual land titling systems promoted by international organizations and companies.
3. Subsistence values from CL, along with incomes from informal cash crops, exceed formal sector wages in many Pacific countries.
4. CL systems have maintained food security in the Pacific region, unlike countries exposed to imported food that have experienced malnutrition.
Sarah Marx was interviewed about her career in agriculture. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska and was involved in 4-H for 12 years. Now she works in accounting and quality control at a milling company. She enjoys communicating with people and incorporating her math skills. Agriculture has always been an interest for her. To prepare for a career in agriculture, she is obtaining certifications in Microsoft programs and gaining experience in communication.
Similar to Ridgetill - Successful Farming Jan 1986 (20)
This document summarizes research from a decade of cover crop studies at Western Illinois University:
1) Key lessons learned include the impact of cover crops on soil health, nutrient cycling, and suppressing crop diseases. Cereal rye was shown to improve soil structure and increase yields when diseases were present.
2) Research trials evaluated different cover crop species and varieties, planting times, and their effects on subsequent cash crops. Radishes and other brassicas improved soil penetration and water retention. Frost seeded red clover produced more biomass than other legumes.
3) Experiments tested no-till systems with cover crops, effects of added nitrogen, and strip-tilling techniques. Cereal rye facilitated successful
Calcium and magnesium are important plant nutrients that are taken up from the soil. Calcium plays key roles in plant cell structure and is important for fruit and vegetable quality. While calcium deficiencies can occur, soils often contain adequate levels. Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll molecule and is also involved in enzyme activation. Both nutrients can be supplemented through soil or foliar applications when tissue tests indicate a need. However, over-application should be avoided as it can negatively impact nutrient availability and balance.
This document summarizes a presentation on choosing and implementing cover crops for a strip-till system. It discusses several farmers who have successfully used strip-tilling and cover crops, including the crops and seeding methods they use. It also provides resources on cover crop selection tools and seed suppliers. The presentation emphasizes learning from other innovative farmers and adapting practices to each farm's specific context and goals.
The document discusses soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics in agricultural systems. It provides examples showing that only a small portion (around 10-17%) of crop residues and roots are retained as SOM in the long term. Factors like soil texture, historical vegetation, climate, landscape position, and management practices influence SOM levels by affecting the balance between organic matter inputs and losses through decomposition. Fine-textured soils in low-lying areas generally have higher SOM compared to coarse-textured or well-drained soils. Protecting organic materials from decomposition by physical protection within soil aggregates or association with mineral particles increases long-term retention as SOM.
This document discusses the increasing popularity and benefits of using cover crops in agriculture. It notes that farmer interest and communication, as well as support from seed vendors, have driven a cover crop revolution. While cover crops provide benefits like erosion control and nitrogen fixation, they also require additional management and can interfere with equipment or crop growth if not implemented properly. The document provides answers to common questions about selecting and establishing cover crops and evaluates the costs and returns of different cover cropping programs.
Precision Cover Cropping for Organic Farmsjbgruver
This document discusses precision cover cropping techniques for organic farms. It provides examples of using GPS guidance and targeted placement of cover crop mixtures and rows to achieve specific objectives like compaction alleviation, erosion reduction, and weed control. Examples are given of undercutting grain stubble and interseeding cover crops into standing corn. The importance of species selection, establishment, and termination timing is discussed.
Cover Cropping Practices that Enhance Soil Fertilityjbgruver
This document discusses cover cropping practices and their impact on soil nutrient dynamics and fertility. It provides information on how cover crops can minimize nutrient losses from the soil and enhance nutrient cycling processes. Cover crops can uptake nutrients that would otherwise be lost, translocate nutrients from below the crop root zone, and fix nitrogen in the case of legumes. They also increase soil biological activity and populations of beneficial microbes like mycorrhizae. Choosing the right cover crop species is important for achieving specific objectives like grazing, nutrient scavenging, bio-drilling, or weed suppression. The document also notes both positive and negative potential effects of cover crops and strategies for optimizing their growth and nutrient contributions.
Maximizing crop root growth in no-till systemsjbgruver
Maximizing Crop Root Growth in No-Till Systems
The presentation discusses opportunities to maximize crop root growth in no-till (NT) farming systems. While technologies like seed treatments and rippers can help, the focus is on underappreciated aspects of root science and management. Variability in soil properties and their interaction with genetics, weather, and practices affects root performance. The presentation explores breeding goals for deeper, cheaper roots and explores root traits related to stress tolerance. It highlights the need to better understand soil biology and root-microbe interactions to enhance sustainability in NT systems.
This document contains reading questions related to two short articles about a proposed potash mine in Thailand. It discusses the "Iron Ladies" group that is protesting the mine and their concerns about potential environmental impacts. Students are asked to read the two articles and answer 9 questions about the issues, including discussing stakeholder perspectives, estimated economic value of the potash reserves, and possible outcomes of the conflict.
The document provides directions and information about the WIU Organic Research Program's annual Allison Farm Field Day event. It includes directions to the Dakin Farm Shop location from both the north and south. The morning session at the farm shop will include presentations on optimizing crop health through nutrient management and a pelletized chicken litter product. A free lunch will be provided followed by remarks about recent research at the Allison Farm. In the afternoon, a tour of the farm's research plots will be given along with an equipment demonstration, with the theme being nutrient management. Registration is required by August 6th for those wanting to attend the lunch.
The document summarizes the opening and operation of two community gardens in Macomb, Illinois between 2010-2012. The first garden opened in June 2010 at a new recreational complex and container gardens were also established at two housing sites. Many crops grew well in wading pools and compost piles. The second garden site opened in spring 2011 on East Wheeler Street near a housing project. By 2012, about 40 families had individual plots and there were also community plantings of potatoes, corn, onions, melons, carrots and pumpkins. Events included an end of season picnic in fall 2012.
Precision Organics discusses opportunities for improving efficiency and effectiveness of field operations through precision agriculture techniques. Some larger organic grain farmers are using precision technologies like RTK guidance. Attention to detail is key to success for organic farmers. Precision techniques like controlled traffic, strip intercropping, and precision planting of cover crops can help organic farmers improve yields and reduce costs.
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17Celine George
In Odoo, making a field required can be done through both Python code and XML views. When you set the required attribute to True in Python code, it makes the field required across all views where it's used. Conversely, when you set the required attribute in XML views, it makes the field required only in the context of that particular view.
LAND USE LAND COVER AND NDVI OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, UPRAHUL
This Dissertation explores the particular circumstances of Mirzapur, a region located in the
core of India. Mirzapur, with its varied terrains and abundant biodiversity, offers an optimal
environment for investigating the changes in vegetation cover dynamics. Our study utilizes
advanced technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote sensing to
analyze the transformations that have taken place over the course of a decade.
The complex relationship between human activities and the environment has been the focus
of extensive research and worry. As the global community grapples with swift urbanization,
population expansion, and economic progress, the effects on natural ecosystems are becoming
more evident. A crucial element of this impact is the alteration of vegetation cover, which plays a
significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of our planet.Land serves as the foundation for all human activities and provides the necessary materials for
these activities. As the most crucial natural resource, its utilization by humans results in different
'Land uses,' which are determined by both human activities and the physical characteristics of the
land.
The utilization of land is impacted by human needs and environmental factors. In countries
like India, rapid population growth and the emphasis on extensive resource exploitation can lead
to significant land degradation, adversely affecting the region's land cover.
Therefore, human intervention has significantly influenced land use patterns over many
centuries, evolving its structure over time and space. In the present era, these changes have
accelerated due to factors such as agriculture and urbanization. Information regarding land use and
cover is essential for various planning and management tasks related to the Earth's surface,
providing crucial environmental data for scientific, resource management, policy purposes, and
diverse human activities.
Accurate understanding of land use and cover is imperative for the development planning
of any area. Consequently, a wide range of professionals, including earth system scientists, land
and water managers, and urban planners, are interested in obtaining data on land use and cover
changes, conversion trends, and other related patterns. The spatial dimensions of land use and
cover support policymakers and scientists in making well-informed decisions, as alterations in
these patterns indicate shifts in economic and social conditions. Monitoring such changes with the
help of Advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems is
crucial for coordinated efforts across different administrative levels. Advanced technologies like
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
9
Changes in vegetation cover refer to variations in the distribution, composition, and overall
structure of plant communities across different temporal and spatial scales. These changes can
occur natural.
Walmart Business+ and Spark Good for Nonprofits.pdfTechSoup
"Learn about all the ways Walmart supports nonprofit organizations.
You will hear from Liz Willett, the Head of Nonprofits, and hear about what Walmart is doing to help nonprofits, including Walmart Business and Spark Good. Walmart Business+ is a new offer for nonprofits that offers discounts and also streamlines nonprofits order and expense tracking, saving time and money.
The webinar may also give some examples on how nonprofits can best leverage Walmart Business+.
The event will cover the following::
Walmart Business + (https://business.walmart.com/plus) is a new shopping experience for nonprofits, schools, and local business customers that connects an exclusive online shopping experience to stores. Benefits include free delivery and shipping, a 'Spend Analytics” feature, special discounts, deals and tax-exempt shopping.
Special TechSoup offer for a free 180 days membership, and up to $150 in discounts on eligible orders.
Spark Good (walmart.com/sparkgood) is a charitable platform that enables nonprofits to receive donations directly from customers and associates.
Answers about how you can do more with Walmart!"
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
This document provides an overview of wound healing, its functions, stages, mechanisms, factors affecting it, and complications.
A wound is a break in the integrity of the skin or tissues, which may be associated with disruption of the structure and function.
Healing is the body’s response to injury in an attempt to restore normal structure and functions.
Healing can occur in two ways: Regeneration and Repair
There are 4 phases of wound healing: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. This document also describes the mechanism of wound healing. Factors that affect healing include infection, uncontrolled diabetes, poor nutrition, age, anemia, the presence of foreign bodies, etc.
Complications of wound healing like infection, hyperpigmentation of scar, contractures, and keloid formation.
Beyond Degrees - Empowering the Workforce in the Context of Skills-First.pptxEduSkills OECD
Iván Bornacelly, Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Skills, OECD, presents at the webinar 'Tackling job market gaps with a skills-first approach' on 12 June 2024
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
This presentation includes basic of PCOS their pathology and treatment and also Ayurveda correlation of PCOS and Ayurvedic line of treatment mentioned in classics.
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docxadhitya5119
This is part 1 of my Java Learning Journey. This Contains Custom methods, classes, constructors, packages, multithreading , try- catch block, finally block and more.
1. A seven-page special editorial package
R i d g e t i l l a g e s o a r s
i n a s t a g n a n t e c o n o m y
By Rich Fee, Senior Crops and Soils Editor
9 ^ !.
It * <s*» «
;ht If
nesota, Cottonwood County has 11% crop production practices.
T
he tremendous growth rate of
ridge tillage is something of an of its corn and soybeans on ridges. "Switching to ridging is probably
enigma, even to people long fa- So it goes throughout much of the the major change many farmers have
miliar with the system. In Indiana, the Com Belt. Ridge tillage—planting on made in their cropping system in the
number of acres in ridge tillage has ridges made the year before with the last 20 years, or will make in the next
been doubling each year since 1981. cultivator—just keeps growing despite 10," says Gyles Randall, a University
The number of acres on ridges nearly the current economic crunch, or, as of Minnesota soil scientist.
tripled from 1983 to 1984 in Illinois. some would argue, because of the Almost without exception, people
Story County, Iowa, now has 8% of its crunch. And ridging keeps growing familiar with ridge tillage acknowl-
com and soybeans on ridges. In Min- even though it is a radical change in edge the practice is growing faster
Continued on next page
S C E SU F R I G J N A Y 1 8
U CSF L A M , A U R , 96
N 11
2. Ridge tillage soars
in a stagnant
economy
Continued from previous page
Jim Zenk, Danube, Minnesota, resumed ridging in 1985 in order to cut costs.
than they would have predicted just the economy is hastening the adop- Corn Belt. The number of ridge-till
two or three years ago. tion of ridge tillage. "It's not fun and acres in Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa,
Bob Dayton, conservation agrono- games out there," he says. "Farmers Illinois and Indiana jumped from
mist with the Soil Conservation Ser- are trying to keep input costs down 730,000 in 1983 to 1,105,000 in
vice (SCS) in Iowa, says, "I worked in any way they can because that's about 1984, according to the 1984 Conser-
Boone County, Iowa, awhile and the only control they have over net vation Tillage Information Center
watched Ernie Behn [one of the pio- income right now. And ridge tillage (CTIC) survey. That's a 51% increase
neers of ridge tillage], so I saw the promises to reduce machinery, fuel, in acres. However, when the figures
potential. But, I didn't expect ridging labor and herbicide costs." are adjusted to account for the num-
to grow as fast as it has." Just as many people believe the ber of acres idled by PIK in 1983, the
"Not only is ridging growing faster sour ag economy is preventing, or at annual growth rate is about 20%.
than most of us expected," says Dick least discouraging, some farmers from
Dickerson, SCS conservation agrono- purchasing the equipment needed to Nebraska leading state
mist in Illinolis, "but farmers have make the switch. Nebraska had more acres of corn
gone ahead and adopted it on their Dave Breitbach, conservation and soybeans on ridges than any other
own, without a lot of promotion from agronomist with the SCS in Minneso- state in 1984—342,000—and it had
ourselves or anybody else." ta, says, "We just don't have producers the highest percentage of total corn
investing in new cultivators, ridge and soybean acres on ridges. Minne-
Effect of economy mixed planters or ridge-shaving attachments sota, with 322,000 acres, was second
There are conflicting opinions on for planters like they would if the in both of those categories in 1984.
whether the current economic crunch economy was growing." Iowa had 229,000; Indiana had
is hastening or slowing the trend to While there is no concensus on the 135,000, Illinois had 76,000; South
ridge tillage. Many people believe the effect of the economy on adoption, Dakota had 46,000; Ohio had 35,000.
tight economy is accelerating the there's no denying the large amount Results of CTIC's 1985 tillage sur-
adoption rate because farmers are of interest in ridging. "If we had just vey, available soon, will undoubtedly
anxious to cut production costs any half as many people practicing ridge show another big increase in acreage.
way they can. tillage as we have interested in it, It looks like Minnesota had 20%
Bruce Julian, field specialist with there'd be a lot more acres on ridges," more acres on ridges in 1985 than in
the Conservation Tillage Information says Randall. 1984—385,000 versus 322,000. That
Center, is among those who believe Most of the ridging activity is in the means two and one-half percent of
Wayne Arthur, Hindsboro, Illinois, built ridges in 1984, and now sells Orthman ridging equipment.
it
^000t'
' •
3. Minnesota's 12.5 million acres of corn the nature of questions has shifted
and beans were raised on ridges. from "What is ridging?" to "How do I
Iowa had 277,000 acres on ridges make it work?"
in 1985, 21% more than in 1984. "Two or three years ago, we had
Despite an impressive growth rate people asking how the planter made a
in many areas, ridging lags in other ridge," he explains. "Now, they're ask-
areas apparently well-suited to the ing detailed questions on such things
practice. What seems to be missing in as fertilizer placement with ridging."
those areas is a catalyst—someone to And many farmers are now the true
spark interest as Ernie Behn did in experts on ridge tillage. "Some of
Iowa, and Mel Boyer did in northeast- these guys not only make a living from
em Indiana and Dan Towery did in ridge tillage, they eat, breath and sleep
east-central Illinois. it," says Joe Peden, SCS conservation
Without neighbors to turn to, many agronomist in Indiana. "They're now
ridgers have sought moral support the most knowledgable people about
and knowledge through ridge tillage the system."
clubs, which have sprung up like Along with the knowledge has
mushrooms after a spring rain. come a change in attitude. "Many peo-
Thanks to these clubs, the farm ple who were totally negative toward
press and field days and meetings ridging two or three years ago are
sponsored by industry or government loosening up," says Hartley Ellingson, Faced with a labor shortage as his boys
grew up, Darrell Hennin, Bird Island, Min-
organizations, the knowledge level sales promotion engineer with nesota, saw ridging as a way to reduce
among farmers about ridge tillage has Alloway. "The waiting and watching his labor needs and other crop produc-
recently increased dramatically. phase is about over. Rather than up- tion costs at the same time.
Dale Kumpf, Fleischer Mfg., says date when their conventional equip-
ment wears out, a lot of well- Dickerson wouldn't be surprised to
established farmers will switch to see ridge tillage surpass no-till in Illi-
Perry Butler, Cosmos, Minnesota, re- ridging." nois, which has more no-till acres than
placed an aging line of conventional any other state. "There are very few
equipment with a ridge planter and culti- Economics the motivator no-tillers—even experienced ones—
vator. "I figured if I didn't switch now, I'd Who is switching? "By and large, it's who commit 100% of their acres to
have to wait another 7 to 10 years." farmers who have figured costs down no-till. But with ridge tillage, a farmer
to the penny and are excellent manag- may start small one year then jump to
ers," says Randall. 100% within the next year or two.
Glenn Olson, of Product and Mar- When you have several farmers
ket Planning for John Deere, which switching 1,000-1,500 acres a year,
just began marketing a ridge-shaving that makes for significant increases
unit and cultivator (a move which each year." [_3
some say puts a "stamp-of-approval"
on ridging in many people's minds), Brainerd Wein, Renville, Minnesota, and
agrees, "By and large the people his two partners sold their four-wheel-
drive tractor and switched to ridging on
adopting ridging are hard-headed more than 3,000 acres.
businessmen looking for ways to keep
production costs as low as possible."
With the rapid growth of ridging a
surprise to many, and the effects of the
economy hard to pinpoint, no one is
very confident with predicting what
the future holds for ridge tillage. In the
short run, most observers expect it to
increase at about the current rate.
Randall thinks 30% of Minnesota's
corn and soybeans could be on ridges
by the year 2000. "But," he adds, "I'm
not sure it will go much over that. The
chisel system is pretty flexible, and we
have some drilled crops and steep
slopes in some areas that don't lend
themselves to the ridge system."
4. Ridging economics
S p a r t a n m a c h i n e r y l i n e u p s
g i v e r i d g e r s t h e e d g e
Overall, Binstock feels he's saving at least $20 per acre
annually in total costs compared to conventional tillage.
Pinning down specific cost savings is a bit more difficult be-
cause of year-to-year variations.
To start with, he lopped about $15,000 off his crop-
production equipment inventory. Total value of the equip-
ment pictured at left (excluding the combine) is just under
$80,000. Depreciation, interest, taxes and insurance comes
to about $10.40 per acre on crop production equipment.
That compares to approximately $12.50 per acre for his
conventional tillage equipment.
Fuel savings come to $3.45 per acre. His 12-row equip-
ment and four-wheel-drive efficiency both help keep fuel
costs low, Binstock says. He cites other farmers with the
same acreage using two-wheel-drive tractors and 6-row
equipment who use 20-25% more fuel.
Repairs are another area of big savings. "Our repair costs
have dropped drastically," Binstock says. "We figure
they're about half the cost they were before because we're
using fewer pieces of equipment and have reduced our
trips over the field."
Other production costs drop
When he went to ridging, Binstock started sidedressing
anhydrous—so he cut his application rate 10%—from 150
pounds down to 135 pounds per acre. By putting the
nitrogen on closer to when the com needs it, he's not losing
as much N. He also saves another $1.80 per acre.
Banding his grass herbicide with the planter saves anoth-
er $7 per acre. Since he cultivates anyway, he can get by
with banding.
Perhaps the biggest total saving for Binstock is in part-
time labor. With his conventional operation, he was hiring
one or two part-time people in spring and fall. Depending
on the year and the season, that meant an extra $4,000-
$8,000 per year. Now he and his wife handle everything
themselves. Eliminating an average of $6,000 annually for
part-time labor, he saves another $4.80 per acre.
Binstock's conversion costs
Equipment purchases
Leonard Binstock with his total equipment inventory 12-row Hiniker cultivator w/NH 3 attachments $14,500
Ridging attachments for 12-row IH planter
Leonard Binstock shaves (Acra-Plant trash whippers, Hiniker v-guidance
wheels, stabilizing disks) $3,400
production costs $ 2 0 an acre Versatile 555 4WD w/duals (net w/trade-in) $12,000
Total bought $29,900
By Mike Holmberg, Associate Crops & Soils Editor Equipment traded for Versatile tractor
1977 IH 4386 4WD, 225 hp.
t's hard to justify investing in new equipment in order to 1974 IH 1066, 125 hp.
f change tillage systems when the price of com is headed
down. But Leonard Binstock did just that. In fact, the
prospect of lower corn support prices made him switch
Equipment sold at auction
IH Super C
JD 4430 w/duals
$1,080
$11,400
three years earlier than he had planned. 35-foot Wilrich field cultivator $4,250
Binstock figures it cost about $4,700 in net, out-of-pock- 33-foot multiweeder $800
et costs to convert his 12-row system to ridge till. But his 22-foot Kewaunee disk $2,450
fuel use dropped from about 7.5 gallons per acre to 3.85. 2 gravity wagons $2,875
With 1,250 acres, that amounts to more than $4,300 per Miscellaneous parts and inventory $2,375
year in fuel savings. Total sold $25,230
14 S C E SU F R I G J N A Y 1 8
U C S F L A M , A U R , 96
N
5. Binstock's switch to ridge tillage looks pretty straightfor- or running bigger, more expensive equipment.
ward—he bought what he needed and sold what he didn't. Ridge tillage is a time-saver. University of Nebraska agri-
But it wasn't an overnight conversion. The first step was cultural engineer Elbert Dickey figures you can realize a
getting a combine with tires spaced on 120-inch centers. 40% savings on labor by ridge planting rather than mold-
Then he went looking for a tractor. Using a four-wheel- board plowing. Importantly, that labor savings is split be-
drive tractor for row crops may look a bit unusual, but tween fall, when harvest often delays primary tillage, and
Binstock likes it. He knew he wanted to stick with 12-row spring, when secondary tillage can delay planting.
equipment—and needed a tractor with enough hydraulic
capacity to handle the ridging equipment. "That 12-row Getting started
cultivator with anhydrous attachments weighs around Bohlen charted his entry into agriculture thinking like a
12,000 pounds. You don't find many two-wheel-drive trac- banker—easy enough for him to do since his off-farm job is
tors with enough hydraulic capacity to pick up 12,000 managing The Bank of Findlay (Illinois).
pounds with a three-point hitch." Two years ago, Bohlen's father was ready to retire and
Since he liked his IH 800 planter, Binstock felt if he Greg wanted to take over the operation near Moweaqua, Il-
could add attachments to convert it to ridge planting, it linois. "But, I just didn't see any way I could make it pencil
would be foolish to spend another $20,000-25,000 on a out if I had to buy all of my father's equipment, and farm
new planter. Instead he spent $3,400 in conversion costs. using a lot of tillage.
"I'm very capital conscious," he adds. "I've seen a lot of
farming operations fail because of high capital costs. So, I
Ridging's lower costs let was convinced that if I was going to make a go of it in farm-
ing, I was going to have to keep my capital costs as low as
Greg Bohlen start farming possible." Ridging, which Bohlen and his dad had experi-
mented with on a few acres, seemed to offer the best way of
By Rich Fee, Senior Crops and Soils Editor holding capital costs down. So, Bohlen picked the items he
wanted to purchase from his father, who then sold the rest.
lthough not one of "I'm operating basically the same size farm my father
4 1
i tthe large acreage operated," says Bohlen, "and he was able to sell $45,000
1ffarmers that typify the worth of machinery at his auction."
new breed of ridge tiller,
Greg Bohlen is a textbook Low-cost equipment
example of another type of Bohlen figures his total machinery lineup is worth about
farmer that economists say $80,000—$177 per acre farmed. "That's higher than it
can benefit substantially should be," he says, "but I could farm another 200 acres
from ridge tillage. For one with the same equipment, and I do need to be able to plant
thing, he is a beginning a lot of acres fast. If I were farming conventionally with the
farmer. For another, he is a time I've got available, I would have to have more work cus-
part-time farmer (with 450 tom done or go to a four-wheel-drive tractor and bigger
acres to cover in a hurry). equipment."
As a beginning farmer, Bohlen does virtually everything with one tractor—a
Bohlen was faced with a John Deere 4440 (he does have an IH M for the auger).
large front-end investment He has an IH 500 mounted planter modified with Kinze
Greg Bohlen and heavy debt load if he planting units and Hiniker ridge-shaving units. He also has
purchased a line of conven- a late-model Buffalo 8-row cultivator, stalk chopper, high-
tional farming equipment. Bohlen wouldn't have been buy- clearance sprayer for applying 2,4-D late in the season, and
ing new equipment, but figures developed by Iowa an old lightweight disk. He rented a chisel plow last fall to
economists show what a beginning farmer considering new work end rows and tear out some crooked ridges.
equipment is faced with, and the savings made possible by Quite a few dollars are tied up in harvesting equipment,
ridging. They compared annual ownership costs for the which he would need regardless of tillage system. He has a
machinery needed to farm 600 acres in a com/soybean JD 7700 combine, two grain trucks, and two augers.
rotation. Eliminating some implements and downsizing Bohlen used 2 gallons of fuel per acre up to harvest last
others resulted in reducing ownership costs from $51.95 season. He figures he would have used 4 or 5 gallons with
per acre with the conventional moldboard plow system to conventional tillage. Repairs were unusually high because
$38.52 per acre with the ridge tillage system. On 600 acres, he modified several pieces of equipment. Further savings
this reduced machinery costs approximately $8,000 per resulted from banding a grass herbicide on com, then com-
year, based on 1982 costs. ing back with 2,4-D as needed. He bands both grass and
As a part-time farmer, Bohlen has plenty of things be- broadleaf herbicides on soybeans.
sides tillage to occupy his time. Generally speaking, he "I got into ridging because of the economics," he con-
needs to be able to cover more acres in a day than a full- cludes. "I'm staying with it because it also solves so many
time farmer with the same size farm, either by cutting trips other problems." E_j
. S C E SU F R I G J N A Y 1 8
U CSF L A M , A U R , 96
N 15
6. Beyond the blacksmith-shop era
N e w i r o n f o r r i d g e t i l l a g e
By Charlene Finck, Assistant Machinery Editor
B r i d g e tillage equipment and its manufacturing ridge tillage equip- With recent equipment advance-
mJ availability have both come a ment. Farmers, such as Iowa ridging ments and more farmers adopting
• • long way in just a few years. pioneer Ernie Behn, began making ridge tillage, new trends are unfolding.
Until 1980, Fleischer Manufacturing's and selling their own design of planter And as they do, it seems that when
Buffalo line pioneered the idea and attachments. And John Deere recently one company capitalizes on it, several
gained a comer on the market. For 20 became the first full-line equipment of their competitors often^follow suit.
years, their only competition was manufacturer to enter the market by
farmer-fabricators who built their own offering a ridge-shaving unit (built by Are disk hillers over the hill?
ridging equipment and maybe sold Hiniker) and a cultivator. Cultivator disk hillers that build
some to neighbors. At last count there were 10 compa- ridges are finding themselves being re-
Competition sprang to life when nies selling either planters or ridge- placed by ridging wings. Designed to
Hiniker Company introduced their shaving planter attachments, and 17 push the soil rather than throw it,
ridge planter packages—a step many companies offering cultivators. wings are credited with building better
mark as a turning point for ridging. Of course, that count does not in- ridges. Most of them can be raised out
"We saw more improvements in clude others like Paul Kirchner of of the way by repositioning a pin or
ridging equipment in the three years Dundee, Minnesota, who capitalized bolt. Some, like those offered by Buf-
following Hiniker's introduction than on the aftermarket. Kirchner, who falo, are adjustable to different widths.
we'd seen in the previous 15 years," farms and operates a repair shop,
says Sam Parsons, Purdue University manufactures Straddle Duals for com- Tall shields offer versatility
agricultural engineer. bines, which help preserve ridges dur- Companies report that tall, open-
Even Buffalo is quick to point out ing harvest. top shields are starting to dominate
the acceleration of changes and im-
provements. Dale Kumpf, inside sales
representative, echoes Parsons' com-
ment. "We're a better company be-
cause they came in," he says.
A race for the ridging market
For a few years Hiniker and Buffalo
were the only ridging equipment man-
ufacturers, but it wasn't long until a
drove of companies were clamoring to
get a slice of the growing demand.
"Ridging equipment is one of the
few things that's selling so companies
want to cut into the market," says Jim
Johnson, Hiniker product manager.
Companies who historically had
nothing to do with tillage tools started
Hiniker's new ridge-till tractor Buffalo's adjustable ridging wings Dakon's version of open-top shields
the cultivator-shield market. Versatility
is why. The shields are less limiting on
the height of crop that can be cultivat-
ed, and are usually fully adjustable—
up and down as well as in and out.
Shaving units break the ice
Farmers are finding it easier to ven-
ture into ridge tillage by adding ridge-
shaving units to their present planter
rather than by purchasing a complete
ridge-till planter. Going that route
means making only a $500-a-row in-
vestment. This compares to approxi-
mately a $2,000-a-row cost for buying
an entire planter.
Kumpf says sales of Buffalo planter
attachments soared last year. "We def-
initely sold them beyond what we had
S C E SU F R I G J N A Y 1 8
U C S F L A M , A U R , 96
N
7. Rolling b a s k e t s
break up clods
Innovative farmers have often
taken the lead in pioneering
ridge tillage equipment. Many
of their ideas and inventions
have found their way onto
manufacturers' equipment.
Someday you might see
rolling baskets similar to
these designed by Dave Park
coming out on commercially
available equipment. The
Towanda, Illinois farmer add-
ed the baskets to his ridging
cultivator to break up clods
during the first cultivation.
"I was tired of clods caus-
. •,•..'0i%: " I
..:
: ing problems during soybean
harvest. The cultivator sweeps
> >, "*»_a__i *_ *...
_t were making clods—and
once hardened—were being
picked up by the snouts on
the combine," says Park.
After using them for one
season, he says the baskets
% V took care of the problem—
and more. They gently pack
the soil between the ridges,
creating a moisture-saving
mulch that keeps the soil
SSi from drying out so quickly.
Breaking up the clods also
•J^ '•
M^S^M*
•^-r/.._-
7 * %
^^r*-- )^S»*9vi-p
i v * ^ s -
Vyf-'^C^
_#*; k M_
John Deere recently began marketing this ridge-shaving unit Rolling baskets in action
expected because we were robbing Companies will be making equip- makes it easier to build better
show machines to fill orders." ment, especially cultivators, multipur- ridges for the next year.
pose. An indication of this, which can At the time when he need- ,
What's in the crystal ball? already be seen, is the increasing num- ed them, Park was too busy f
Experts predict that every major ber of companies offering nurse-tank to make them himself so he I
equipment company will be offering and fertilizer hitches for cultivators. had a local machine shop J
some kind of ridging equipment with- Right now the most common size of build them. Small steel rods %
in the next five years. Deere's entering equipment being sold is 8- and 12- welded onto round metal |
the market is only the beginning. row, but don't be surprised to see a lot disks form the baskets. I *
At the same time, the number of more 10-row machines in the future. A four-piece attachment ! |
companies competing in the market Interest in 10-row equipment is grow- mounts the baskets directly § 8
will probably thin out. "Typical with ing as farmers become more con- behind the cultivator shanks. <± 1
any new technology, the cream of the scious of controlling field traffic. Flat pieces of metal are used ja |
companies will filter to the top and It is still uncertain what the future to bolt them tightly onto the %&
stay while the others drop by the way- holds for Hiniker's ridging tractor. The shanks. ff
side," explains Parsons. prototype pictured on the opposite An old cultivator spring Q* -
Guidance systems are expected to page was introduced last year, but the puts tension on the baskets
be a hot sales item in the future. They company is still doing testing and re- and allows them to flex with
also will become more sophisticated. searching its market potential. E 3 changing terrain.
S C E SU F R I G J N A Y 1 8
U CSF L A M , A U R , 96
N 17