Season 7 Episode 9: To-do Lists for New Farms or Fields
CCSI-HAT Soil Health Podcast · Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative
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Show Notes
Recorded on 9/17/24, Delaware County farmer Joe Hamilton and Fayette County farmer Andrew Bernzott discuss the steps they take when picking up a new field or farm. Hamilton returned to a full-tillage corn/soy family farm after spending 12 years as a mechanical engineer. Bernzott took over a 30-year no-till farm. Both farms are now in a 100% no-till / 100% cover crop system.
Both start by taking soil samples, paying close attention to base saturation of calcium and magnesium in addition to phosphorus and potassium needs, because if soil fertility isn't taken to critical levels, one really doesn't have a starting point. Both concentrate on getting cover crops seeded and discuss the details of their strategies, including the importance of covers in their use of poultry litter for phosphorus needs.