Cover crops were swathed at the South Dakota Lakes Research Farm and will be grazed over the winter.

Let nature direct ecosystem health

Researcher says agriculture needs to learn from how water, soil function in nature

I have learned more from observing Nature than by trying to change it,” said Dwayne Beck. Beck, the research manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) in Pierre, South Dakota, […] Read more


The METOS MobiLab uses capillary electrophoresis to analyze the nutrients in a soil or plant sap sample, with the company’s 
Lab-on-a-Chip.

Instant samples offer quick decisions on the farm

Whether it is leaves or soils, the lab-in-a-box solution puts portable testing in hands of farmers and agronomists

Glacier FarmMedia – The METOS MobiLab provides soil and sap nutrient measurement in less than two hours. “We can measure nitrate and ammonia from the soil analysis part of the […] Read more


Soil fungi numbers appear to be similar in different systems, but the types of fungi change, researchers have found.

Finding the right fungus

First steps taken to identify and promote fungi beneficial in cropping systems

Do you have fungus? Your fields certainly do, though the varieties vary based on several factors. While tillage levels, rotational diversity and cover crops affect fungi type, they don’t appear […] Read more


Control gates along one of the contour-tiled fields will allow study into the value of being able to maintain water in tiles when needed during dry periods.

Drainage demo farm sets baselines

The ambitious project features standard, contour, controlled and terrace drainage

The Huronview Demo Farm looks much different than it did a year ago when tile machines from several companies were busy installing the numerous drainage systems showcased at the farm. […] Read more


Wes Hart eventually developed a system of strip till and the ability to apply both liquid and solid fertilizer.

Adventures in strip-tilling

How two farmers adopted and augmented their strip-till approach

There’s more than one way to strip-till a field. During this year’s Canada’s Digital Farm Show, Woodstock-area grain growers Ken Martin and Wes Hart shared their lessons learned, and triumphs […] Read more

Cover crops grow in wheat stubble.

The economics of cover crops

Ridgetown research highlights profitability gains and losses in grain and vegetable systems

The impact of cover crops on profit margins is a long-contested subject, but new data from the University of Guelph shows some clear winners and losers. Vegetable crop yields, specifically, […] Read more