The drought monitor report as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, is essentially unchanged since last week for our area. The western third of the state is still slowly improving, especially near the Colorado border and Northeast Kansas is still backsliding a bit. The six to ten-day outlook (July 25 to 29) indicates a 70 to 80% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning to below normal precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (July 27 to Aug. 2) indicates normal to a 60 to 70% chance of leaning to above normal temperatures and continued 33 to 40% chance of leaning to below normal for precipitation. A great deal of the dryland corn appears pollinated and is developing kernels. However, soybeans are heading into the critical stage for water (late July into August) and doesn’t bode well. Sorghum also will likely be dinged but can cope better than soybeans.
Last week. We started to discuss the next trend in agriculture – Regenerative Agriculture. Briefly, it seeks to improve the total soil ecosystem physically, chemically, and biologically; reduce all forms of water pollution; minimize synthetic inputs; improve the total environment by working within it including the climate; and provide a better socioeconomic life style for producers and those living in rural areas. Today, we will start the discussion and finish it next week. So how do we improve the soil and overall ecosystem?
• Perhaps the most important concept here is there is no one plan or method but management decisions must be tailored to each area and even each individual field. And it must work economically for the producer.
• Before implementing any plan, know what the conditions are in the field. Hopefully, good records exist regarding cropping and all cultural practices, especially herbicide history and crop yields. Knowing current soil physical and chemical conditions – soil texture and horizon depth; nutrient levels and soil organic matter content; soil structure and so on.
• Step one is to keep the soil there is place and prevent any further water or wind erosion. Minimizing tillage and if possible, eliminate tillage. This entails, working within the climate of the area to select as diverse and practical a crop rotation as possible. Climate is a key factor here in diversity as is the market opportunity for crops in the rotation. There are crops that would fit say this area but the storage and marketing opportunities are limited. The rotation must be flexible and the producer must have the equipment and labor to make it work.
• Producers want to minimize inputs while producing economical yields. Inputs are expensive and take time and labor. A good crop rotation, especially as tillage is eliminated, decreases insect, weed, and disease pressure and help decrease pesticide and in many cases fertilizer costs. And with as diverse a crop rotation as possible, you spread economic risk.
• Next week will finish and focus on improving overall soil health, steps building on this week’s discussion.
Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.
