Title Year Category
Description

This 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 …


Publish Date
August 27, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
ISU Northern Research Farm (Matt Schnabel)
ISU Northeast Research Farm (Ken Pecinovsky)
ISU Ag Engineering and Agronomy Research Farm (Matt Schnabel)
ISU Southwest Research Farm (Matt Schnabel)
Description

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 …


Publish Date
July 2, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Jill Beebout, Blue Gate Farm
Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan, Humble Hands Harvest
Natasha Hegmann and Pete Kerns, Turkey River Farm
Roxane Mitten
Carly and Ethan Zierke, Sweet Season Farm
Description

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 …


Publish Date
July 2, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan, Humble Hands Harvest
Natasha Hegmann and Peter Kerns, Turkey River Farm
Mark Quee, Scattergood Farm
Description

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 …


Publish Date
June 27, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Keaton Krueger
Tim Sieren
Description

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 …


Publish Date
June 26, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Rory Van Wyk, RoLyn Hills Farm
Description

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 …


Publish Date
June 16, 2024

PFI Staff
Stefan Gailans
Cooperators
Fred Ables
Alec & Rachel Amundson
Nathan Anderson
Terry Aukes
Jon Bakehouse
Sam Bennett
Vaughn Borchardt
Jack Boyer
Joe Bragger
Sean Dengler
Robert Harvey
Josh Hiemstra
J.D. Hollingsworth
Keaton Krueger
Ross McCaw
Mark Peterson
Kevin Prevo
John Van Horn
Kevin Veenstra
Description

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 …


Publish Date
May 24, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Doug Alert & Margaret Smith
Description

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. …


Publish Date
May 24, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Michael Vittetoe
Description

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 …


Publish Date
May 12, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Jack Boyer
Description

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 …


Publish Date
May 12, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Fred Ables
Jon Bakehouse
Keith Gorman
Kevin Veenstra
Description

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 …


Publish Date
April 27, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Kate Edwards
Jason Grimm
Terry Troxel
Description

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 …


Publish Date
April 27, 2024

PFI Staff
Emma Link
Cooperators
Natasha Hegmann and Pete Kerns
Michael Pipho
Mark Quee
Carmen & Maja Black