Soil management and health

Soil properties

• Five factors of soil formation
• Soil orders and suborders in Minnesota
• Soil organic matter in cropping systems
• Soil biology
• Soil School: Soil organic matter does matter (video) — RealAgriculture, Ontario, Canada
• Can soil health tests determine fertilizer needs?

Tillage systems

• The Upper Midwest Tillage Guide is a collaboration between University of Minnesota Extension and North Dakota State University.
  • A brief history of tillage and tillage research
  • Tillage implements, purpose and ideal use
  • Reducing tillage intensity
  • Economics of tillage
• On-farm comparison: Conservation tillage systems
• Fall tillage in wet soil conditions
• Soybean School: To till or not to till (video) — Real Agriculture, Ontario, Canada

Reduce soil compaction

• Soil compaction — Learn what causes soil compaction and how it affects crop growth and yield. Adopt management practices that minimize compaction.
• Watch soil compaction videos
  • Soil compaction — Learn about the effects of soil compaction and management strategies to minimize it.
  • Soil structure: A natural defense against soil compaction— Learn how soil aggregates create a strong, resilient soil.
  • Tracks and tires— Manage wheel traffic and properly inflate tires to reduce soil compaction.
  • Proper tire inflation— Get the best performance out of your tractor tires.

Maintaining soil productivity

• Reduce wind erosion for long-term profitability — Soil erosion cuts your profits and reduces productivity by removing a non-renewable resource.
• Rolling soybean in the Upper Midwest
• Crop residue management