Ernie Aust was one of the most unique NRCS employees I have had the privilege of working with. Ernie was special. He served as Area Conservationist in Southwest Iowa and I was fortunate to have him as a supervisor. Looking back, it is obvious Ernie missed his calling. His talents would have been better utilized as an engineer or resource conservationist. During our professional visits, Ernie had little interest in talking about performance appraisals and workload analysis; instead he wanted to talk about engineering practices and variations …
Taking Action Toward Sustainability – Pt 2
This is one in a series of posts covering what a few progressive ag retailers are doing to address sustainability in their organizations. This week we will take a look at GROWMARK’s sustainability initiative endure which focuses on practices that endure over time to make the most prudent use of natural resources to enhance customer profitability and environmental longevity. GROWMARK As GROWMARK leaders discussed the company’s endure sustainability initiative before it launched earlier this year, they realized they could best promote …
Taking Action Toward Sustainability Pt 1
This is one in a series of posts covering what a few progressive ag retailers are doing to address sustainability in their organizations. This week we will take a look at The Andersons, Inc., a diversified company rooted in agriculture conducting business across North America in the grain, ethanol, plant nutrient, rail, and retail sectors. The Andersons, Inc. If you want to know what it feels like to be in a squeeze shoot you can either listen to someone who has been in one or you can try one out for yourself. Trust me; it’s easier to …
I hope to see you at the InfoAg Conference
If you have an interest in precision agriculture, you should attend the 2016 InfoAg Conference. I will be at Booth #11.InfoAg features an educational program that includes plenary and breakout sessions. There is also an extensive exhibit hall of leading hardware, software, and vendors to precision agriculture. The educational programs are perfect for learning new perspectives about how to put technology to work in the field. It is also a great place to hear more about new products and services as well as the unique perspective on the global …
We Can Do Better
The photos below were taken before the warm summer temperatures and ample rainfall kicked crop growth into high gear. The corn is now well over head-high and the soybeans have canopied the soil. But, the tall crops are also masking the recurring issue of soil erosion. And, since the issue is out of sight now, it seems to be out of mind. It will be forgotten. No preventative actions will be taken. And, we will see erosion again next year.In my geography, spring is the time of greatest soil erosion. All of the fall and/or spring tillage …
Conversation Starter
“Hey, what are you going to do differently to help improve water quality?”Some discussions about conservation are naturally hard to start. Educated as an agronomist, I did not have formal training in conservation. I remember, as a young NRCS employee, being fearful that I would start out on the wrong foot or offend a farmer - long before I could get to the main point of my visit. On the other hand, sometimes the situation lent itself to an easy conversation. And those times were golden - when the problem was obvious and the approach was …