Farming Better
Than Ever Before
Joel Erickson
farms and raises cattle with his father, Don and brother, Mark. They also raise
cattle on the 1,500-acre operation.
He
and Andrew Kappes, sales agronomist with South Dakota Wheat Growers, have been
working together to ensure 4R best management practices have become operating
procedures.
“The 4Rs, advanced genetics and improved farming practices are
all parts of our plan to continually improve. Combined, they make for a better
running, more sustainable farm,” Erickson says.
Examples of these practices include:
- No-till and strip-till across the farm
- South
Dakota Wheat Growers MZB precision farming system divides fields into zones based on soil texture, organic
matter, salts, elevation and yield
potential - Soil samples taken from each zone
- Fertilizer
prescriptions are established for each zone to achieve yield goals, avoid fertilizer waste and ensure plants have
the right amount of nutrients available - Tissue analyses guide foliar applications
- Cover crops capture nutrients and provide grazing for cattle
- Incorporates
lessons learned from the Conservation Cropping Systems Project, which demonstrates and promotes farming
methods that promote soil and water conservation - 4Rs, advanced genetics and improved farming practices continue toimprove the overall crop. Yield increases of 20 bu/ac have been observed.
As Erickson hones these practices, his yields continue to
increase. These yields and the 4R practices will help make it possible for his
son and daughter to return to the farm if they decide to do so.
Check
out these advocates in action in our 4R Field Report Video!