Farmer-Led Research
Research reports are written by Practical Farmers staff to ensure consistency and quality, and are available to view or download for free.
The Latest Research from PFI
Filter ResearchThis research report was funded by USDA-NIFA, Albert Lea Seed House, Green Cover, North Dakota State University, KWS and FP Genetics. In a Nutshell: Eleven cereal rye varieties and one triticale variety were screened at four Iowa State …
This research report was funded by Stranahan Foundation, Walton Family Foundation and Ceres Trust. In a Nutshell: Starting seedlings for transplant in the greenhouse is a chore where small, repeated components like covering seeds with soil can add …
This research report was funded by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. In a Nutshell: Overwintering spinach is the practice of insulating a fall-planted spinach crop through the winter. This practice produces an early spring crop of …
This research report was funded by Cargill. In a Nutshell: Many farmers plant corn and soybeans in cover cropped fields using either no-till drilling or strip tillage before planting. Strip tillage requires an extra equipment pass compared to …
This research was funded by Cargill and Walton Family Foundation. In a Nutshell: Johnson-Su is a composting method that allows for rapid and complete breakdown of materials such as woodchips, leaves, and manure for soil amendment. Rory Van …
This research was funded by USDA-NRCS, FFAR and Walton Family Foundation. In a Nutshell: Nineteen farmers performed 22 replicated strip trials testing their typical nitrogen (N) rate against that rate reduced by an amount of their choosing. Farmers …
This research report was funded by Cargill. In a Nutshell: Green manure cover crops like clovers are often used by organic farmers to provide soil fertility. Doug Alert and Margaret Smith have been using red clover as a …
This research report was funded by USDA-NRCS and Cargill. In a Nutshell: An in-row roller crimper is designed to roll-crimp only in the interrow between cash crop rows. Michael Vittetoe seeds cover crop in 10-in. twin-rows on 30-in. …
This research report was funded by Ceres Trust. In a Nutshell: PFI Cooperators including Jack Boyer have a long history of testing biological products that are marketed to complement or partially replace regular fertilizer and/or pest management programs …
This research report was funded by USDA-NRCS and Cargill. In a Nutshell: Roll-crimping is a mechanical method for terminating cover crops that allows farmers to reduce tillage and herbicide use. Fred Abels, Jon Bakehouse, Keith Gorham and Kevin …
This research report was funded by Stranahan Foundation and Ceres Trust. In a Nutshell: Potatoes have notoriously high nutrient demands and organic fertilizers can help maximize yield and long-term soil fertility in organic potato fields. Kate Edwards, Jason …
This research report was funded by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Johnny’s Selected Seeds. In a Nutshell Timing the fall planting of cauliflower and other slow-maturing crops is often difficult, especially when planting a new …