JOURNAL COLORADO CONSERVATION TILLAGE ASSOCIATION www.HighPlainsNoTill.com Conference Edition 2014 CCTA Members, If you’re like me, you’re probably getting tired of reading articles by exasperated editors who can’t understand why farmers haven’t accepted global climate change “hook, line and sinker”. I just finished reading one in “Corn and Soybean Digest”. A month ago Successful Farming had one. Last year Western Farmer Stockman had one that had me contemplating discontinuing my subscription. It’s interesting to read their explanation for such low numbers of farmers accepting that 1) we’re experiencing significant climate change and 2) man’s activity has any appreciable affect on it. This latter example seem to indicate that farmers are only focused on short term weather effects and don’t consider long term issues. It goes on to state that this flies in the face of all this peer reviewed, scientific fact. I personally felt that this editor was suggesting that maybe farmers were not in tune enough to understand the “science” of the issue. Giving this editor the benefit that he was not having a “Gruber Moment”, I completely disagree with his premise. I believe that farmers have a healthy skepticism of science in general. Every year we wade through a lot of science. New chemicals, fertilizers, seed traits and electronic advances. Our pocketbook requires that we evaluate good change from snake oil. Add to this all of the dubious new regulations from EPA, OSHA, DOT CCTA Board of Directors Officers Curt Sayles, President, Seibert, Colorado cursay@plainstel.com 970-664-2281 John Fabian, Vice President, Windsor, Colorado john.fabian@fontanelle.com 970-373-7429 Scott Smelker, Stratton, Colorado smlkseeds182@hotmail.com 719-348-5055 Micha Seyler, Secretary, Joes, CO micah.seyler@monsanto.com 970-597-2229 and any other acronym you can muster and suddenly we don’t always believe everyone has our best interests in mind. Then we must admit that the stories of tainted climatic data also has us wondering. Two that come to mind are the temperature “hockey stick” data that proved to be intentionally skewed and more recently the Oceanic Acidification dilemma. A recent article by Marita Noon (Google it) presented some interesting insight. Finally, our grandfathers and fathers have constantly reminded us of that bad blizzard, that rainy and/or dry spell and the cyclic nature of it all. In our neck of the woods its 90 days after a fog. Ring any bells? My point being that we work intimately with nature on a daily basis. Our experience base has taught us that climate is inherently changing and cyclic. I would propose that instead of dismissing farmers one might be wise to respect their wisdom. Having said all this, do I believe there is climate change, yes. It’s always been changing. Is it caused by man? I don’t know, but I would suggest that the atmosphere is much more resilient than its given credit for. It has been digesting volcano eruptions since creation. I’m not a denier, but I haven’t been convinced by the evidence provided. We live in interesting and challenging times. We must remain skeptical and not be hood winked. Curt Sayles CCTA President CCTA Board Members Kyle Franz, Burlington, Colorado Kyle.franz@ks.usda.gov 719-349-8067 Ron Meyer, Burlington, Colorado rf.meyer@ColoState.edu 719-349-1101 Haley Harms, Otis, Colorado Help@ProTill.com 970-466-0721 Nate Northup, New Raymer, Colorado nathannrthp@gmail.com 970-520-7180 Jeff Kler, Yuma, Colorado jeffrey.kler@chsinc.com 970-630-5262 Scott Smith, Cheyenne Wells, Colorado scott.smith@co.usda.gov 719-342-2902 Mike Kochis, Limon, Colorado mkochis.topqualityag@yahoo.com 719-740-8867 Jonathan Wagers, Woodrow, Colorado jwagers77@yahoo.com 970-554-6559 Barry Maranville, Matheson, Colorado barrymaranville@yahoo.com 719-393-5614 Becky Ravenkamp, Coordinator, Hugo, Colorado Becky@highplainsnotill.com 719-740-0715 Fertilizer, Crop Protection, Quality Application Kersey office: 24330 Highway 34 | Greeley, CO 80631 (970) 353-2567 Serving your needs at seven locations. “ Analysis You Can Grow With”® 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Time Room A 7:30 AM Registation Desk Opens 8:30 -‐ 9:30 Steve Siemens -‐ When You're Through Changing, You're Through (In Museum) 9:40 -‐ 10:40 10:40 -‐10:55 Centennial Ag Supply Co. Centennial Ag Research of Biological Products in a High Yield Environment Jim Gerrish -‐ Grazing 101; Equipment and Tips Room 109 Room 111 Joel Moffett, NRCS -‐ Soil Health Jeff Rasawehr -‐ Nutrient Tools 1 Ecological CEU SWM Farming Room 114 Bob Wolf -‐ BASF On Target Spraying 2 CEU IPM Break - Visit Trade Show Pro-Till Profiting From Good Data 10:55 -‐ 11:55 Room B Meagan Schipanski -‐ Building SOM In A Semi-‐Arid Region 1 CEU SWM Rec Room Elaine Ingham -‐ Putting Natural Nutrient Cycling to Work Wendy Taheri-‐ Understanding the Importance of Diversity in Cropping Systems 1 CEU NM Abe Collins -‐ Addressing Limiting Factors To Soil Formation Bob Wolf -‐BASF On Target Spraying Continued Rick Bieber -‐ The Wrong Cide of Farming 12:05 -‐ 1:15 Closed for lunch 1:15 -‐2:15 Keller Law, LLC - Surface Use Jim Gerrish -‐ Agreements Swath Grazing on for No-Till the High Plains 2:15-‐2:30 Break - Visit Trade Show 2:30-‐3:30 Farmer Panel Michael New Advances Thompson, in High Plains Crop Production John Strategies - Ron Heermann Mike Collins-‐ Soil Meyer, CSU Ext. Soil Health On Health Pays 1 CEU The Farm SWM Abe Collins -‐ Soil and Water Indivisible: The How to, History and Future of Topsoil Formation 3:40-‐4:40 Kris Nichols -‐ Soil Biology and Plants as Weed Management Tools (In Museum) 1 CEU SWM, 1 CEU IPM 4:40-‐6:00 Beer & Bull - Great Room Peter Donovan -‐ Capitalizing on Bob Stewart -‐ Its Elaine Ingham -‐ Natural Resources All About The Soil Food Web 1 1 CEU SWM Water 1 CEW CM CEU NM Keith Berns -‐ Crop Selection for specific Challenges 1 CEU CM Betty Corbin -‐ Marketing Your Commodities Brendon Rockey -‐ Through Options Biotic Approach to Farming 1 CEU PD A Division of T.J. Crowder and Sons, LLC Replenishing soils today for generations tomorrow Benefits of Organic Fertilizer Essential ingredients are highly available to the soil in the first year and less prone to leaching Pathogens and weed seeds in raw manure are eliminated by the thermal and bacterial action of composting Moisture retention capacity in the soil is increased. Friendly fungi are stimulated, which are natural enemies of undesirable fungi, nematodes, cut-worms, and aphids. Concrete chunks and other undesired trash in the raw manure are removed. The rank odor of manure is replaced with a pleasing humus smell indicating the presence of healthy, aerobic bacteria. Organic fertilizer is easy to transport, handle, and apply which reduces soil compaction. 26874 CR 65 Iliff,CO 80736 www.humalfa.com 970.522.0758 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Wednesday, February 4, 2015 Time Room A 8:00-‐8:15 Annual Meeting in Rec. Room 8:30 -‐ 9:30 Kris Nichols -‐ Soil Biology and Plants as Weed Management Tools (In Museum) 1 CEU SWM, 1 CEU IPM Speaker All Access: Elaine Ingham 9:40 -‐ 10:40 Room B Room 109 Wendy Taheri-‐ Understanding Jim Gerrish -‐ the Importance of Swath Grazing Diversity in on the High Cropping Plains Systems1 CEU NM Room 111 Abe Collins - Soil and Water Indivisible: The How to, History and Future of Topsoil Formation Room 114 Rec Room Bob Wolf -‐ Brendon BASF On Target Rockey -‐ Biotic Spraying 2 CEU Approach to IPM Farming 10:40 -‐10:55 Break - Visit Trade Show New Advances in High Plains Crop Production Strategies - Ron Meyer, CSU Ext. 10:55 -‐ 11:55 12:05 -‐ 1:15 Peter Donovan -‐ Abe Collins -‐ Capitalizing on Addressing Natural Limiting Resources 1 Factors To Soil CEU SWM Formation Bob Wolf -‐ BASF On Target Elaine Ingham -‐ Spraying Soil Food Web Continued 1 CEU NM Closed for lunch CCTA Round Table Discussion 1:15-‐2:15 Farmer Panel -‐ Michael Thompson, John Heermann -‐ Soil Health On The Farm Jim Gerrish -‐ Grazing 101; Equipment and Tips Mike Collins-‐ Soil Health Pays 1 CEU SWM Betty Corbin -‐ Elaine Ingham -‐ Marketing Your Putting Natural Jeff Rasawehr -‐ Commodities Nutrient Ecological Through Options Cycling to 1 CEU PD Farming Work 2:15-‐2:30 Break - Visit Trade Show 2:30-‐3:30 Steve Siemens - Don't Die Until You're Dead! (In Museum) 3:40-‐4:40 4:40 Meagan Schipanski -‐ Building SOM Speaker All In A Semi-‐Arid Access: Region 1 CEU Grazing SWM Door Prize Drawing -‐ Lobby Joel Moffett, NRCS -‐ Soil Health Bob Stewart -‐ Its Nutrient Tools All About The 1 CEU SWM Water 1 CEW CM Keith Berns -‐ Crop Selection for specific Challenges 1 CEU CM Rick Bieber -‐ The Wrong Cide of Farming 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Breakout Sessions Crop Selection for Specific Challenges 1 CEU CM Keith Berns This session will be an overview of the best cover crop species and how they can be used to address different needs present in your field. The Wrong Cide of Soil Health 1 CEU IPM Rick Bieber Farming is about growing living things. By definition anything that ends in –cide is about killing living things. These two conflicting ideas have dominated farming in the last 50 years. We cannot continue to degrade our land and stay dependent on –cides and petroleum based fertilizers into the 21st Century. This session will show you real numbers from a real producer who has departed from the tillage folly and is looking to the soil for natural fertility options. Learn how he has decreased input costs and increased profits on his farm with no-till, cover crops and a system approach to soil care. Addressing Limiting Factors to Soil Formation 1 CEU SWM Abe Collins In this talk Abe starts with the assumption that “by attending to the needs of plants and soil organisms we can achieve improved livestock performance, per-acre production and continual improvement of soil health.” Abe will review the basics of cool-season plant physiology, soil ecology the factors of soil formation and how we can meet the needs of livestock, forages and soil organisms without compromise, leading to the formation of new topsoil. He will share monitoring, grazing, cropping and soil treatments that producers around the world are working and succeeding with in their whole-farm systems. Soil and Water Indivisible: The How to, History and Future of Topsoil Formation 1 CEU SWM Abe Collins A necessary precondition of water security for farms, communities and nations is land management that leads to precipitation soaking into healthy soil at or close to the point where it lands. Regenerative agricultural pioneers have developed many ways to grow the soil aggregates that are the basis of deep-topsoil, functional watersheds with clean water and minimized flooding, drought, blowing soil, wildfire and damage to built infrastructure. WHEN NATURE HOLDS OUT, WE STEP IN. After a few weeks, drought can soak up your investments. Fortunately with a DuPont brand herbicide, you’re automatically enrolled in the DuPont™ Crop Protection Plus® Program.* Our replacement credit gives growers the boost they need to bounce back next season. Talk to your retailer about it, and always know you can count on DuPont. ™ DuPont ® Crop Protection Plus. Herbicide credit when weather takes the harvest. * Restrictions apply. See Terms and Conditions. Copyright © 2013 DuPont. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont,™ The miracles of science™ and all products denoted with ® or ™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates. DUPCGR12020VA www.syngenta.com Bill Gilbert Sunflower Sales Manager Syngenta Seeds, Inc 1107 White Oak Ct Fort Collins, CO 80525 Syngenta Crop Protection Derrick Tise 418 N Scott, PO Box 83 St. Francis, KS 67756 785-332-2297 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Breakout Sessions Since soil cover and soil aggregates are irreplaceable infrastructure for achieving water security, a sensible question to ask is “who can create these conditions on and in soil and how can they be supported in this work?” From this perspective, what are the relationships and functional policy parameters between cities and land managers that can achieve water security? Further enabling and rewarding those who grow clean, regulated water and food suggests itself. We’ll discuss how communities and governments around the world are working toward water security by building policies that prioritize achievement of watershed health and explore possibilities for accelerating this achievement. Soil Health Pays Mike Collins 1 CEU SWM He will cover the economic impact of the four soil health principles in detail to include reducing or eliminating tillage, keeping a live root as long as possible, adding diversity to your operation and keeping the soil coverage in cropland, hayland, pastureland and rangeland to some degree. Next he will cover and explain the cycles of soil health--- nutrient, water, energy and the successional attributes of plants --- and how that effects your bottom line. The talk will wrap up with the financial assistance available for soil health with the NRCS. Marketing Strategies Betty Corbin 1 CEU CM Learn marketing strategies to maximize profits and minimize losses from a commodity trader with over 35 years experience. With the volatility in the market using options in your marketing is smart. Learn the basics and ways you can practice your skill without risking the farm. Capitalizing On Natural Resources 1 CEU SWM Peter Donovan Sunlight energy captured by plants and microbes is the most powerful and creative planetary force, far exceeding fossil fuel energy or even geologic forces. It alone has the power and capability of building stable, water-holding soil aggregates. Satellite imagery and other monitoring can help us align our actions with this force. What are the economic, social, and ecological advantages of growing water-holding, fertility-enhancing soil aggregates on our farms and ranches? ALLIANCE, NE Hwy 385 &10th Street 888-762-5870 BRIDGEPORT, NE 9738 US 26 800-682-5121 GORDON, NE 6742 State Hwy 27 800-535-4450 IMPERIAL, NE 1001 Hwy 61 800-525-4934 OGALLALA, NE 101 Road, East 80 800-658-4227 SYDNEY, NE 1901 Link 17J 866-233-2511 www.21stCenturyEquipment.com ALLIANCE, NE Hwy 385 & 10th St. 308-762-5870 888-762-5870 BRIDGEPORT, NE 9738 US 26 308-262-1110 800-682-5121 GORDON, NE 6742 State Hwy 27 308-282-0665 800-535-4450 IMPERIAL, NE 1001 Hwy 61 308-882-4326 800-525-4934 OGALLALA, NE 101 Road, East 80 308-284-4049 800-658-4227 SIDNEY, NE 1901 Link 17J 308-254-2511 866-233-2511 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Breakout Sessions Grazing 101 1 CEU CM Jim Gerrish Grazing 101 will cover how to get set up for Management-intensive Grazing on cropland with minimal investment in permanent fence and stock water infrastructure. Use of temporary fence and stock water systems will be highlighted. Swath Grazing On The High Plains 1 CEU CM Jim Gerrish Swath grazing offers an opportunity to lock in forage quality at a desirable stage of maturity and hold that quality through the winter. This approach works especially well with summer annual cover crops that rapidly deteriorate in quality if left standing through the winter. Putting Natural Nutrient Cycling To Work Elaine Ingham 1 CEU NM With world instability and crude oil prices rising, learn how to look to yourself for your fertility needs. Dr. Elaine Ingham will explain how the soil food web can provide your crops with the nutrients they need. Compost, compost tea and other alternative fertility options will be discussed. Soil Life: Who are the beneficials in soil, and what they do Elaine Ingham 1 CEU NM The “who eats who” in the soil food web is simple in some ways, but the consequences of these interactions are far-reaching and complex. A brief introduction to the organisms, and what they look like (so you could identify them yourself), and the benefits that healthy soil can give to plants: (1) Suppression of weeds, diseases and pests, (2) Retention of soluble nutrients, (3) Cycling of plant-not-available nutrients into plant-available nutrients, (4) Building of soil structure, which means water, roots and oxygen can go deep into the soil so drought will not be a problem, and erosion will not be a problem. New Advances in High Plains Crop Production Strategies Ron Meyer Current advances in high plains crop production strategies will be discussed. This will include: cropping systems, cover crops, and herbicide advancements. USDA - NRCS United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service www.co.nrcs.usda.gov DEKALB.com/drought 48 ft coulter w/ double shoot fert Mid-Row Banders, new disks, 491 monitor 2 1/4 steel press w/ 350 bu tow-behind cart-3 metering tanks 48 ft coulter w/ double shoot fert Mid-Row Banders, 591 monitor 3 1/2 rubber press w/ 350 bu tow-behind cart -3 metering tanks Bringing the best technology to your farm 970.466.0721 970.744.1928 help@protill.com Farming is all about sweat. And in 2012, you sweltered through some of the most challenging growing conditions. But you have been here before. You sweat it out. You adapt. You innovate and prevail. It is what you do. DEKALB® innovates for you with advanced breeding delivering industryleading genetics along with the latest Genuity® trait technologies including Genuity® DroughtGardTM Hybrids. So you can get more from your sweat…and your ears. Talk to your local DEKALB Dealer or visit DEKALB.com/drought The drought trait has been deregulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Import approvals in key corn export markets with functioning regulatory systems are in progress. In 2012, on-farm field trials, under strict stewardship requirements, are being conducted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. Always read and follow IRM, where applicable, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these practices can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. agSeedSelect™, DEKALB and Design® and DEKALB® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2012 Monsanto Company. Soil Health Nutrient Tool Joel Moffett 1 CEU NM Evaluating soil health in Colorado is important for making management decisions. Eastern Colorado soil health coordinator, Joel Moffet, will discuss the tools being used to evaluate soil health including: • What it is • How it is being utilized in Colorado • How it works • Where it is going • What it means Ecological Farming 1 CEU SWM Jeff Rasawehr It has taken decades of tillage and chemical based agriculture to do horrific damage to our soils health. The method of healing the soil needs to be done in a dedicated systematic approach. To restore the ‘integrity’ of the soils natural biological diversification it takes a micro-evolutionary event in the soil. Jeff will explain the six steps to implementing an ecological farming system: 1. Diversification of cover crops that are viable and done with a purpose for sustaining the soils microbiology. 2. Eliminating toxicity that damages the integrity of the biological diversity of the soil. 3. Utilizing known naturally occurring replication of viable biological products. 4. Not no-till----NEVER TILL 5. Utilize known and workable soil amendments---example gypsum and zeolite. 6. Don’t misstep------a missed year of cover cropping or a tillage pass is not a step backward---it is a quantum leap backward. People depend on you. You can depend on us. For more than 75 years, Fontanelle has worked side-by-side with farmers in your area, delivering local products focused on the unique agronomic conditions their operations demand. The Fontanelle team focuses on providing the right regionalized genetics and traits, localized agronomic expertise and customized farming solutions to help maximize the performance of Fontanelle products. For more information, contact your Fontanelle Representative: Kurt Wilson, at 785.443.3040 AIR DRILLS • DISC DRILLS AIRCARTS • BALE CARRIERS Fontanelle.com | 1.800.CR.YIELD ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Fontanelle and Design® and Fontanelle™ are trademarks of American Seeds, LLC. ©2014 Monsanto Company. 35842 ED 01/06/14 SINCE 1929 www.morris-industries.com 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Sponsors Conference sponsors and vendors enable CCTA to provide outstanding speakers at the conference. Please make sure you thank them for making the conference possible! Platinum $4,000 Pro-Till Gold $2,000 BASF Channel Seeds Colorado Corn Fontanelle Hybrids DuPont Pioneer National Sunflower Administration Silver $1,000 American Agriculture Lab Bayer Crop Science Dekalb DuPont Eastern Colorado Seeds Farm Credit Services of Southern CO Gordon Insurance Agency Humalfa Morris Industries Red River Commodities, Inc. Simplot Simpson Farm Enterprises Sorghum Partners Stratton Equity Coop Syngenta Vince’s GM Center Bronze $250 Burlington Con. District Cargill Cheyenne Con. District CHS, Inc Colorado East Bank & Trust Crop Production Services Eastern Colorado Bank Farm & Ranch Realty, Inc. Flagler Aerial Spraying Flagler Coop Hitchcock JD Heiskell Kennedy & Coe, LLC Koch Operations Inc. Nuseed Powell Seed, LLC. Premier Farm Credit Pro Ag Solutions Rabo AgriFinance Scott Aviation Smelker Seeds The Barn Media West Greeley Con. District Woofter Const. and Irrigation Wray State Bank 2015 Conference Exhibitors These exhibitors offer valuable products and services, please take time to thank these businesses for supporting the 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference. 21st Century Equipment Flagler, CO DuPont Pioneer Lincoln, NE Kugler Company, McCook, NE ADM /Northern Sun Goodland, KS Eastern Colorado Seeds, LLC Burlington, CO Lewton Ag Services Otis, CO Ag Concepts Eagle, ID EGE Bio Minneola, KS Morris Industries Ltd Saskatoon, SK Ag Power Equipment Company Burlington, CO Elk River Enterprises Greeley, CO Mycogen Seeds Aurora, CO Ag Venture Minden, NE Farm & Ranch Realty Colby, KS Nachurs Alpine Solutions Marion, OH American Agriculture Lab McCook, NE Farm Credit of Southern Colorado Limon, CO High Plains National Sunflower Association Goodland, KS Arrow Seed Company, Inc. Broken Bow, NE FarmReign, LLC Wray, CO Nitro Sprayers Otis, CO BASF Burlington, CO Flat River Agri, Inc Brush, CO NuSeed Breakenridge, MN Bayer Crop Science Ft. Collins, CO Frontier Ag Goodland, KS Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. Greeley, CO Big Iron / Stock Auction St. Edward, NE Fye Consulting, Stratton, CO Pro-Till Otis, CO Cargill Burlington, CO Golden Plains CSU Extension Burlington, CO Red River Commodities Lubbock, TX Centennial Ag Supply, CO Greeley, CO Gordon Insurance Agency Limon, CO Shelbourne Reynolds Colby, KS Center Seeds Marys, OH Green Cover Seed Bladen, NE Simplot Burlington, CO Channel Seeds Evens, CO H Squared Otis, CO Simpson Farm Enterprises Ransom, KS CHS, Inc. Burlington, CO Heinrichs Harvesting Company Davenport, NE Smoky River Pheasants Forever Burlington, CO Colorado Corn Greeley, CO Hilltop Planting Solutions Burlington, CO Sorghum Partners Goodland, KS Colorado Wheat Administrative Com. Fort Collins, CO Hortau, Inc. Haxtun, CO Stateline Bean Producers Co-Op Gering, NE Crop Production Services Ft. Morgan, CO Humalfa Iliff, CO Sure Crop Fertilizers Seneca, KS Crop Quest, Inc. Dodge City, KS J.D. Heiskell Windsor, CO Syngenta Crop Protection St. Francis, KS DeKalb / Asgrow Joes, CO JD Skiles Atwood, KS Wagner Equipment Burlington, CO DuPont Crop Protection Sterling, CO K.C. Electric Assn. Hugo, CO Woofter Construction & Irrigation Colby, KS USDA - NRCS United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service www.co.nrcs.usda.gov 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Breakout Sessions Farming in a Biotic System 1 CEU NM Brendon Rockey I will speak about raising potatoes without toxic chemicals, and synthetic fertilizers. This session will focus on creating a biotic system that brings back the life in the soil that we have destroyed with conventional agriculture. This new system brings back old practices that include diverse cover crops, companion crops, and flowering mixes, as well as carbon based fertility, and the addition of livestock. Challenges and Opportunities for Building Soil Organic Matter in Semi-Arid Regions 1 CEU SWM Meagan Schipanski Soil organic matter is the cornerstone of soil health and productive cropping systems. Despite the switch to no-till management, soil organic matter levels often hover around 1% on dryland farms in Eastern Colorado. Is it possible to increase soil organic matter in the region? What are the limitations and where are the opportunities? In this workshop, we will review research from long-term experiments in Eastern Colorado and talk about the management and soil type factors that influence soil organic matter. We will discuss different methods for measuring total and more active pools of organic matter. Finally, we will discuss potential opportunities for increasing soil organic matter through residue management and intensified rotations. Its All About The Water 1 CEU CM Dr. Bob A. Stewart The relationships between soil, plants, and water will be presented and discussed. Increasing water does not increase yields in a straight line. With crops like corn and sorghum, doubling the amount of water used by the crop can increase the yield four or more times. The focus will be on strategies for increasing the proportion of available water used directly by the plants. For all your seed needs - turn to the best in the west! Turf Seed ● Forage Seed ● Mycogen ● Livestock Health MSBiotec ● Trailers ● All your farm needs. 47500 US Hwy 24, Burlington, CO ● 866.655.7380 Channel® and the Arrow Design® and Seedsmanship At Work® are trademarks of Channel Bio, LLC. ©2013 Monsanto Company. CHANE030126P117BVA Understanding the Importance of Diversity in Cropping Systems 1 CEU NM Wendy Taheri, Ph.D. We have all heard we need diversity in our cropping systems, but what is it really doing for us? Will diversity help me during a drought? Will it increase my yield? Is a little bit better than nothing? How much diversity do I need? Can cover crops give me enough diversity to really matter? What if I only have a short growing window? Dr. Taheri explains how diversity makes ecosystems more resilient, the benefits of increasing it and the consequences of its loss. Going the extra mile. 17 feet at a time. That’s Seedsmanship At Work . ® Expert advice, customized service and elite seed products. Find your Seedsman at channel.com. High Plains Journal No-Till Conference Book 7.5" x 4.5" CHANE030126P117BVA Due: 1-10-14 Today’s date: January 10, 2014 1:04 PM Account Service: Speaker All Access Sessions Attendees of the 2014 High Plains No-Till Conference enjoyed Jill Clapperton’s lunch session where she delved deeper into the principles soil health. They were able to ask questions relative to the High Plains and talk through how the theories can be expected to impact their farms. This year CCTA is excited to bring you two Speaker All Access breakout sessions to give you that same opportunity with this year’s outstanding speakers. One will be focused on soil health, the other on grazing. For some, the phrase “soil health” is becoming a philosophy and drives the decisions on our farms. For those who live by the philosophy and those who are willing to give it a try, the Speaker All Access session is an opportunity to dig deeper into this idea. It is a chance to learn from the co-author of The Soil Biology Primer used on NRCS websites and referenced in many research publications. Elaine Ingham and others will answer your questions in a small group setting. You can ask questions specifically for our semi-arid environment and get straight answers from a soil health expert. We know you will have questions after you hear about the success of local producers and are introduced to different ideas on grazing. As you contemplate the information you have heard and think about application on your farm there are sure to be questions that you have. Many common mistakes can be avoided by learning from those who have experience. Specific water, fencing and herding questions are encouraged. Bring your questions for the speakers in the room and association members who are applying the ideas already or drop questions off at the registration table on Tuesday. CCTA Board Members will facilitate the sessions keeping the discussion moving and on track. Board Member Nominations CCTA President Curt Sayles will be term limited at the end of 2014. CCTA is now accepting nominations for a board member to replace him. Interested persons should contact Curt Sayles or any board member prior to the Annual CCTA meeting at the High Plains No-Till Conference for information on the nomination process. A new board member will be elected for a two year term at the annual meeting in February 2015. Curt Sayles can be reached at 970-664-2281 or cursay@plainstel.com. ALLIANCE, NE Hwy 385 &10th Street 888-762-5870 BRIDGEPORT, NE 9738 US 26 800-682-5121 GORDON, NE 6742 State Hwy 27 800-535-4450 IMPERIAL, NE 1001 Hwy 61 800-525-4934 OGALLALA, NE 101 Road, East 80 800-658-4227 SYDNEY, NE 1901 Link 17J 866-233-2511 www.21stCenturyEquipment.com ALLIANCE, NE Hwy 385 & 10th St. 308-762-5870 888-762-5870 BRIDGEPORT, NE 9738 US 26 308-262-1110 800-682-5121 GORDON, NE 6742 State Hwy 27 308-282-0665 800-535-4450 IMPERIAL, NE 1001 Hwy 61 308-882-4326 800-525-4934 OGALLALA, NE 101 Road, East 80 308-284-4049 800-658-4227 SIDNEY, NE 1901 Link 17J 308-254-2511 866-233-2511 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Breakout Sessions BASF On Target Application Academy 2 CEU PM Robert E. Wolf, PhD - (Bob) The goal of the BASF On Target Application Academy (OTAA) is to provide extensive hands-on-education for growers, retailers and commercial applicators on herbicide application best practices and new equipment technologies. Attendees walk away from OTAA trainings with a deeper understanding of new technologies to ensure on target applications, better train employees, maximize yields, protect input investments, and protect lifelong investments in their crops. Self-applicators also take away information on proper application timing, nozzle selection, wind speed, droplet size, boom calibration and down-wind buffers. More than 95 percent of growers that have attended an OTAA event say the training will help become more successful in their operation, and would recommend it to others. Farmer Panel – Soil Health On The Farm Michael Thompson and John Heermann 1 CEU CM John will show his innovative approaches to promoting soil health on his no-till farm in Haxtun, CO. He will also explain how he has fully implemented cover crops, mob grazing, and diverse crop rotations into his dryland operation. Information will also be provided to showcase the water SAVINGS effects of utilizing cover crops instead of fallow. Michael Thompson will discuss the economic impacts, agronomic impacts, challenges, and successes of including high stock density grazing on cover crops on the high plains even with less than average rainfall. Speaker All Access: Grazing You have heard the theory and listened to others who are putting them to practice but you still have questions. For 60 minutes you have access to national speakers where you can submit or ask questions or listen to others ask questions for you. When will you ever have access to these great speakers in such an intimate setting for no extra cost? Speaker All Access: Soil Health You have heard the theory and listened to others who are putting them to practice but you still have questions. For 60 minutes you have access to national speakers where you can submit or ask questions or listen to others ask questions for you. When will you ever have access to these great speakers in such an intimate setting for no extra cost? CCTA Annual Meeting ******* The CCTA annual meeting will be held at the High Plains No-Till Conference at 8:15 AM on Feb. 4, 2015 in Burlington, CO. Stratton Equity Coop 98 Colorado Ave. - P.O. Box 25 Stratton, CO 80836 Phone: 719.348.5326 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Registration Registration fee is the same for attending one or both days (except students) Registrations taken at the door – cash, check or credit cards Producer/Attendee Pre-registration - $160.00 Early Registration before Jan. 15th - $110.00 Students - $25.00 per day The following mailing address will be used to mail the CCTA Journal. Business/Organization/Farm _____________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________________ State _______ Zip____________ Phone: ( ) _________- ____________ E-Mail: ______________________________________ Please send CCTA Journal: ___ Electronic ___ Postal Hard Copy Name: 1 ______________________________________________________________ Check one:__ First Timer ___ Attended Conference before Check one:__ Attendee -- $110 ($160 after January 15) __ Student ($25.00 per day) Attending: ___ Tues ___ Wed Name: 2 ______________________________________________________________ Check one:__ First Timer ___ Attended Conference before Check one:__ Attendee -- $110 ($160 after January 15) __ Student ($25.00 per day) Attending: ___ Tues ___ Wed Name: 3 ______________________________________________________________ Check one:__ First Timer ___ Attended Conference before Check one:__ Attendee -- $110 ($160 after January 15) __ Student ($25.00 per day) Attending: ___ Tues ___ Wed Cultivating opportunities www.coloradocorn.com Make check payable to: CCTA Check # _________ TOTAL: $ ________ Mail registration form and payment to: Becky Ravenkamp, 41376 CR 26, Hugo CO 80821 For nearly 100 years, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado has specialized in lending for agriculture, and we’re not going anywhere. There are some things you can always count on. For aﬀordable ﬁnancing and straight talk from people who understand your business, call Farm Credit of Southern Colorado today. Burlington 719-346-5324 Colorado Springs 800-815-8559 La Junta 719-384-4455 Lamar 719-336-7474 Limon 719-775-2838 Monte Vista 719-852-3341 www.aglending.com Farming In The Margins Workshop The purpose of CCTA is to educate producers and industry partners on conservation practices. CCTA was organized in 1988 and has grown and changed over the years. Managing the needs of our diverse membership is a challenging task. Finding a location that can accommodate over 500 people for two days while keeping prices low for attendees, sponsors and vendors is also a challenge. After must discussion your CCTA Board of Directors has decided to offer an additional no-till conference this winter. We will hold a one-day Farming In The Margins Workshop at the Clarion Inn & Conference Center in Garden City, KS on February 18, 2015. Attendees of the Farming In The Margins workshop will be treated to a common sense line-up of speakers. First, we need to eliminate marginal thinking. Michael Casper, NRCS Colorado, will start off our day with ideas that will push you to question everything you are doing on your farm, help you analyze your water use practices and find your comfort zone on the no-till continuum. With any farm practice equipment is a large capital investment. No-till equipment may already be on your farm or it may be a factor that you need to address. Paul Jasa, UNL Extension Engineer, will build up your confidence in no-till equipment. Knowing how drills, planters and sprayers fit into your no-till systems management and how to utilize them for precision agriculture will make an impact on your bottom line. There’s always room for improving profits and Kevin Dhuyvetter, retired KSU Professor, will discuss factors impacting farm profitability. No-till management factors with an emphasis on economics will put you in a position to widen profit margins. Weed resistance can be a limiting factor to yields and profits. Taking a new approach to weed management will require looking at the system as a whole. Randy Anderson, research agronomist at the North Central Agriculture Research Laboratory in Brookings, South Dakota has been working on ecologically based pest management in our cropping systems. This approach requires looking at the biological aspects of weed dynamics, diverse crop rotation effects on weed populations and using living plants as a weed suppressant for organic producers. Doors will open at 7:30 AM for registration and check-in. The workshop will start promptly at 8:45 AM CST and will conclude at 5:00 PM. Lunch, materials and CCTA membership will be included in the $95 registration fee. Pre-registration is highly encouraged online at www.HighPlainsNoTill.com or by mail using the following form. Sponsors for the workshop are now being accepted. Vendors will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. A discount will be given for registering at both CCTA events. Contact Becky Ravenkamp at 719-740-0715 or Becky@HighPlainsNoTill.com with questions. Farming In The Margins Workshop Registration Business/Organization/Farm _____________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________________ State _______ Zip____________ Phone: ( ) _________- ____________ E-Mail: ______________________________________ Please send CCTA Journal: ___ Electronic ___ Postal Hard Copy Attendee: _________________________________________________________________________ $95 Attendee: _________________________________________________________________________ $95 Attendee: _________________________________________________________________________ $95 Attendee: _________________________________________________________________________ $95 Attendee: _________________________________________________________________________ $95 Sponsors / Vendors Choose 1 Option: All will be listed in the workshop program _____ Ruby Sponsor $400 – $999 • Black and White 1/4 Page (3x5 inch portrait) Ad in Workshop Program • Complimentary 8’x8’ Booth with Two Complimentary Registrations _____ Sapphire Sponsor $1000 – $1499 • Color 1/2 Page (6.75 x 5 inch landscape) Ad in Workshop Program • Complimentary 8’x8’ Booth Space and Two Complimentary Registrations • Business Card size Ad in 3 Issues of CCTA Journal • Complimentary Insert in Attendee Packet (200 copies delivered by Jan.15) _____ Emerald Sponsor $1500 + • Color Full Page (6.75 x 10 inch, portrait) Ad in Workshop Program • Complimentary 8’x8’ Booth Space and Two Complimentary Registrations • Business Card size Ad in 3 Issues of CCTA Journal • Complimentary Insert in Attendee Packet (200 copies delivered by Jan.15) • 5 Minute dynamic ad playing at breaks and lunch Sponsor Attendee Name(s): ___________________________________________________________ Sponsor Attendee Name(s): ___________________________________________________________ Please make checks to: CCTA. Mail for and payment to Becky Ravenkamp, 41376 County Road 26, Hugo, CO 80821 41376 CR 26, Hugo, Colorado 80821 2014 Fall The Journal is published by the Colorado Conservation Tillage Association three times per year. Issue # 2014.2 2015 High Plains No-Till Conference Feb. 3-4, 2015 Burlington Community Center Keynote Speakers: Dr. Kris Nichols Chief Scientist Rodale Institute Steve Siemens The People Builder Breakout Session Speakers Include: Dr. Elaine Ingham Jeff Rasawehr Jim Gerrish Betty Corbin Wendy Taheri Bob Stewart Abe Collins Meagan Schipanski Brendon Rockey Rick Bieber Keith Berns and more! Farming In The Margins Workshop Feb. 18, 2015 Clarion Inn & Conference Center in Garden City, KS Speakers and Topics: Storm Casper - Rethinking Marginal Thinking Paul Jasa - No-Till Equipment Confidence *Fertilizer* *Custom Application* *Chemicals* *Seed* *Precision Ag* Please call on our Colorado locations for all of your farming input needs. Burlington 719-346-7970 Cheyenne Wells 719-767-2042 Fort Morgan 970-867-7811 Prospect Valley 303-644-4117 Timnath 970-484-4610 Wray 970-484-4610 Randy Anderson - Weed Dynamics Kevin Dhuyvetter - Widen No-till Profit Margins SFE of Ransom P.O. Box 70 Ransom, KS 67572 1.800.235.5359 SFE of Hays 1036B E Hwy 40 Bypass Hays, KS 67601 1.888.228.3611 SFE of Great Bend 603 MacArthur Rd Great Bend, KS 67530 1.866.379.1426 SFE of Beloit 3120A US Hwy 24 Beloit, KS 67420 1.888.232.8558 CCTA is a non-profit organization serving all the States in the High Plains Region. It is a resource of experienced farmers working with industry, University and agricultural agency personnel whose goal is to spread research and on-farm gained information about conservation farming practices.