NEWS YOU CAN USE ~ JUNE 4, 2018
A monthly collection of recent news, upcoming events, and articles of interest
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PA No-Till Alliance Summer Soil Health Field Day
You won't want to miss the Alliance's always popular and informative Soil Health Field Day, to be held on July 26. This year the event moves to Don Cotner Farms (Danville, Montour County), which is managed by Alliance board member Dean James. A full day of informative panels and demonstrations is planned, creating a can't-miss-event for no-till and cover crop advocates!
A farmer panel on “What We’re Doing That’s New,” a presentation on “Interpreting the New Soil Health Tests,” demonstrations with the rainfall simulator and differences in soil water retention with various tillage practices are planned, as well as a keynote presentation by Gerard Troisi.
- Meeting of the Minds event the evening before
- "Interpreting the New Soil Health Tests" presentation
- "What We're Doing That's New on our Farms NOW" farmer panel
- Rainfall Simulator demonstrations
- Differences in Soil Water Retention with Various Tillage Practices demonstration
There will also be cover crop test plots, infiltration rings, farmer owned planters on display and updates on no-till drill set up and maintenance. Truly an exciting day - mark your calendars now! Pre-registration information will be mailed in the very near future - stay tuned!
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Farming For Success
The Alliance will participate in a
planting green
demonstration and discussion at the popular Farming for Success summer field day, sponsored by the Penn State College of Agriculture Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center on Thursday, June 21. The event will be held in Landisville, Lancaster County. Additional details will be available in the near future.
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Ag Progress Days - Plans Finalized for the Alliance Live Demos
The 2018 Ag Progress Days event will be held August 14, 15, 16. The Alliance is working with officials from Ag Progress Days to have a larger presence at the 2018 show, including “LIVE” no-till planting green demonstrations each day. On each of the three days, immediately following the corn chopping demonstration, several types of no-till drills will demonstrate planting cover crop into the stubble. This will take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. Then, at 1 p.m., there will be a demonstration of planting into a rolled standing sorghum/sudan mix. Also, plots will show both newly emerged and growing corn previously planted into the same cover crop mix.
In each case, members of the Alliance will be available to discuss their experience with this emerging practice and answer questions from farmers and others in attendance. If you plan to attend Ag Progress Days, don't miss this opportunity! Watch the Ag Progress Days promotion materials for additional information.
Ag Progress Days features the latest technology and research exhibits, educational programs, and guided tours. Sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the 2018 event celebrates the forty-third year to be held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College, PA. It is one of only three agricultural exhibitions in the country sponsored by a major University. Exhibits showcase the latest in Penn State research, as well as information on best management practices and changing regulations in the agricultural industry.
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No-Till Farmer Magazine Recognizes Alliance Efforts
Article titled, "Promoting the No-Till Cause - For Free," from No-Till Farmer Weekly Blog
Recently, the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance announced that it is beginning a program that makes its 13-member board of directors available for speaking engagements at state conservation events. The speakers are available free of charge for all counties of the Commonwealth.
This is an admirable effort on behalf of one of the nation’s more active no-till groups in a state where no-till practices are used to plant over 60% of all crops.
“We’re making ourselves available to local conservation districts and other soil health entities who call on us to present at their events,” says Jim Hershey, president of the no-till group.
Hershey is one of the presenters available, along with other notable Pennsylvania no-tillers and cover crop users, such as Steve Groff, Jim Harbach, Lucas Criswell and Leroy Bupp.
Speakers will cover a range of topics from basic no-till principles and cover crop usage to the most cutting-edge practices being used. They’ll also explain the interrelationship between these methods, their effects on soil health and, ultimately, the benefits to water quality.
Many of these board members have 20-plus years of no-till experience on their own farms and nearly as many years incorporating cover crops into their programs. In addition, they continue to experiment with some of the newest practices, such as planting green, cover crop mixes and the most effective crop rotations.
This effort is made possible by grants from the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Pa. Stroud’s primary mission is the preservation and restoration of fresh water, which dovetails perfectly with improved soil health and water infiltration benefits of long-term no-till.
The group’s focus of any presentation can be flexible, depending on the interests of the sponsoring organization. Anyone interested in scheduling a speaker should email Jay Howes, administrative coordinator of the Alliance.
(Source:
No-Till Farmer
)
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Exploring Smart Solutions to Nutrient Pollution June 12
Nutrient pollution of water is a "wicked" problem, one that involves a complex, multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. Over the last several years, researchers and stakeholders have been working together to explore the many factors involved in making smart watershed management decisions to meet nutrient reduction goals in local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
On Tuesday, June 12, join researchers from Penn State University and USDA Agricultural Research Service as they present their results and lessons learned for strategic watershed planning and implementation. The event will be held at Radisson Hotel Harrisburg (1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA).
*Registration deadline has been extended to Wednesday, June 6, which will be the absolute final day to register.
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Thank You Alliance Sponsors
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Each year, a number of sponsors step-up to partner with the Alliance in fulfilling our mission to promote the successful application of no-till through shared ideas, experiences, education, and new technology. Without their invaluable support, the Alliance would not be able to have the success it enjoys. Thank you to those who have renewed or initiated new sponsorships for 2018:
Gold Sponsors
Stroud Water Research Center
Univest Bank and Trust
Silver Sponsors
AgChoice Farm Credit
DuPont Pioneer
Gro-Mor Plant Food Co.
Lancaster Farming
MM Weaver and Sons
Melvin R. Weaver Crop Protection
Bronze Sponsors
American Dairy Association North East
Binkley & Hurst, LP
King's AgriSeeds
If your business or organization is not listed, there’s still time to offer your valuable support for 2018! Contact any board member or Jay Howes at
jhowes@pennag.com
for additional information.
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Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance
2215 Forest Hills Drive, Suite 39, Harrisburg, PA 17112
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