PROGRESS REPORT
PROJECT TITLE: Maximizing Soil Warming and Health under Different Tillage Practices in a CornSoybean Rotation
PROJECT NUMBER: 4110-14SP
REPORTING PERIOD: January 1, 2015 to April 30, 2015
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Aaron Daigh, Abbey Wick
ORGANIZATION: University of Minnesota Extension and NDSU Extension
PHONE NUMBER: 320-235-0726 x 2006
EMAIL: dejon003@umn.edu
1.) PROJECT ACTIVITIES COMPLETED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD. (Describe project
progress specific to goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the project workplan.)
In March, Aaron Daigh took data from soil sensors at numerous depths within the tillage strips to
monitor spring time soil warm up and dry down as well as thermal conductivity. The frozen soil allows
for a clean deployment for the sensors since the ground will be firm and will easily resist any compaction
issues due to foot traffic. Monitoring of soil temperatures and moisture will continue throughout the
remainder of the year.
Plots have not been planted yet due to the cold temperatures. Due to the dry soil conditions, cooperators
may not add the second pass to the vertical tillage treatment plots.
2.) IDENTIFY ANY SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND RESULTS OF THE PROJECT TO DATE.
There are no results to report as of this date.
3.) CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED. (Describe any challenges that you encountered related to project
progress specific to goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the project workplan.)
The planning and organization of the details of the research grant have been progressing as planned.
4.) FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Describe any budget challenges and provide specific reasons for
deviations from the projected project spending.)
This project is on track with the budget and is proceeding as planned.
5.) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITES. (Describe any conferences, workshops, field days,
etc attended, number of contacts at each event, and/or publications developed to disseminate project
results.)
An extension video introducing this tillage project to producers and the general public is available on the
NDSU Soil Health website at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-8gAfTYktg. These will be linked on
the UMN website as well.
Circulars and videos will continue to be produced based on information obtained during the initial year of
this study. Additionally, information obtained during this time will be presented at multiple field days
and workshops through a cooperative effort of UMN and NDSU Extension. Information will be readily
available to producers, including, circulars, videos, and additional information posted on NDSU Soil
Health and Land Management (www.ndsu.edu/soilhealth) and UMN website
(www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/tillage).