Information and Education

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  • No-Till Education

  • No-till farming systems - although common in many areas of the United States - are rare in Northwest Nebraska due to misconceptions about its ability to produce sufficient yields in our climate. However, many local farmers are proving that this farming method is not only profitable, but it also saves them time and energy while conserving their soil and water resources.
     
    No-till farming systems are those which operate without disturbing the soil through tillage. During planting, seeds are deposited directly into the past crop's residue. Not only does the limited disturbance reduce the potential for wind and water erosion, it also conserves soil moisture and maintains a healthy soil structure.
     
    The Upper Niobrara White NRD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have worked with many local farmers and agencies to develop an ongoing No-Till Farming Education Program for Northwest Nebraska. Each year, we coordinate and host a conference and a field day in our District (Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan and Sioux Counties) with the help of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices.

    The Annual Northwest Nebraska
    No-Till Field Day was hosted by Watson Brothers Farms in Box Butte County and Curt Roth's Farm in Sheridan County

    It covered a wide range of no-till topics including soil quality, water conservation, crop rotation, equipment, carbon credits and more.

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    dan   jason

    above: Dan Gillespie, NRCS, demonstrates a rainfall simulator and no-till's effects on soil quality.

    below: Stephanie King, NRCS, shows the advantages of no-tilled soil.

     

    above: Jason Moudry, UNWNRD, shows how an ET gage can assist producers.

    below: Curt Roth discusses his no-till irrigated corn field with producers.

    steph   cut