Browsing by Author "Cates, Anna"

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11
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    Cover crops in Minnesota: Recent challenges and future solutions
    (2024-02-29) Cates, Anna; Vetsch, Jeff; House, Jared; Wilcox, Jack
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we're talking about cover crops in Minnesota: Recent challenges and future solutions. What were the cover crop issues for 2022 and 2023? Based on the conditions right now and from last spring, what might some good management practices be going forward? What was the decision-making process for a panelist adjusting rye seeding rate requirements in the fall of 2024 when drilled. What advice would the panel have for someone brand new to cover crops, and who has concerns that were exacerbated by this last cycle? Additional resources: Why did cover crops cause issues in Minnesota the last two years and what should growers do going forward? (https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2023/09/why-did-cover-crops-cause-issues-in.html); Recording of Feb. 2024 Strategic Farming webinar on "Thirsty cover crops: Do they impact our cash crops?" (https://youtu.be/LLt1ayXvy1o?si=90YWp1sI0esR7wie); Register for Cover Crop Academy: New hybrid, year-long, statewide course starts June 2024 (https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2024/02/announcing-university-of-minnesota.html); Growing cover crops in Minnesota: 4 great resources to get you started (https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2021/03/growing-cover-crops-in-minnesota-4.html); Cover crop recipes, Midwest Cover Crops Council (https://www.midwestcovercrops.org/getting-started-correct/#recipes); Grant County SWCD (https://grantswcd.org/); Minnesota NRCS (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/minnesota).
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    Episode 16: Soil Health Tests
    (2019-09-11) McDivitt, Paul; Kaiser, Dan; Cates, Anna; Fernandez, Fabian; Rosen, Carl
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we discuss soil health tests. What is the consensus definition of soil health? What should growers look for in soil health tests, and how should they go about testing their fields? What research is available in Minnesota tying soil health tests to crop performance and yield?
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    Episode 22: 2020 Research Update
    (2020-01-28) McDivitt, Paul; Carlson, Brad; Kaiser, Dan; Vetsch, Jeff; Cates, Anna; Sharma, Vasu
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, five U of M researchers discuss their 2019 research projects and what they'll be studying in 2020. Topics include sulfur sources, urea timing, split application of N, banding P and K, soil health tests, cover crops, irrigation management, variable rate N technologies, the pre-plant nitrate test, and more.
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    Episode 23: Nitrogen Management
    (2020-02-13) McDivitt, Paul; Carlson, Brad; Kaiser, Dan; Vetsch, Jeff; Cates, Anna; Sharma, Vasu
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss nitrogen management. Should growers consider split-applying N? Is fall urea too risky? Is ESN worth the cost?
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    Episode 43: Soil Management and Nutrient Issues
    (2021-10-01) McDivitt, Paul; Fernandez, Fabian; Cates, Anna; DeJong-Hughes, Jodi
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss soil management and nutrient issues.How do erosion and tillage practices impact nutrients in the soil and nutrient management? After a dry spring and summer, what should growers know about soil and nutrient management heading into the fall? How can farmers better manage soils to avoid nutrient issues? Are cover crops a good idea this year?Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
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    Episode 46: Carbon Markets
    (2022-02-24) McDivitt, Paul; Cates, Anna; DeJong-Hughes, Jodi; Robak, Amy
    Guests: Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist; Jodi DeJong Hughes, Extension educator, Willmar; Amy Robak, crop advisor, Centra Sota Co-op. Additional resources: How to approach carbon market opportunities, U of M Extension soil management and health, Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH), Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) pilot project in central Minnesota, All Acres for Our Waters project, Minnesota's Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), NRCS Registry of Technical Service Providers, Carbon Smart Programming - Minnesota Corn Growers.
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    Episode 52: Cover Crops
    (2022-08-03) McDivitt, Paul; Fernandez, Fabian; Cates, Anna; Rosen, Carl; Stahl, Lizabeth
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we’re talking about cover crops. What should farmers who are considering growing cover crops this year be thinking about? What are some tips for getting a cover crop established in Minnesota? Should growers consider applying fertilizer to help get a cover crop established? What recent cover crop studies have U of M researchers been doing, and what have we learned from them? Guests: Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist (St. Paul); Fabian Fernandez, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul); Carl Rosen, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul); Lizabeth Stahl, Extension crops educator (Worthington). Additional resources: Extension cover crops, MCCC, SWROC cover crop field day, Rosholt Farm field day, Soil health field day at Brent Fuchs’ farm. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast wherever you listen and never miss an episode! And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and visit our website. Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com
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    Episode 63: Measuring and Building Soil Carbon
    (2023-07-26) Wilcox, Jack; Cates, Anna; Gutknecht, Jessica; Sanford, Gregg
    In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we’re talking about measuring and building soil carbon, and some challenges and solutions for farmers and researchers. Why is carbon in the soil being considered as a credit in the global carbon cycle? What practices change soil carbon? What makes soil carbon complicated to measure? What do you think is the ideal (or is there an ideal) carbon measurement scheme and what would it look like? What new research exists to address some of these challenges? Is Minnesota uniquely positioned in any way to contribute to solving these issues? Guests: Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist (St. Paul); Jessica Gutknecht, faculty, U of M Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (St. Paul); Gregg Sanford, research scientist, U of Wisc Department of Plant and Agra Ecosystem Sciences (Madison). Additional Resources: Contact information for Anna Cates: catesa@umn.edu; Contact information for Gregg Sanford: gsanford@wisc.edu; SOCNET; MN Farmers Union Guide to Carbon Markets; Carbon markets: Paying farmers to reduce tillage, plant cover crops; Minnesota Office for Soil Health; SPRUCE. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast wherever you listen and never miss an episode! And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and visit our website. Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com
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    Impacts of Soil Health Management on Environmental Quality: A Research Review for Minnesota
    (2022-10) Reilly, Evelyn; Cates, Anna
    This review was undertaken to summarize research on the impact of four in-field practices (cover crops, reduced tillage, perennials, and crop rotations) on nutrient losses, soil carbon, and runoff/erosion in Minnesota. Social, economic, and policy considerations, while highly relevant to agricultural decision making and design of incentives, are beyond the scope of this review. To maximize relevance of findings, this review focused on data from studies conducted in Minnesota, along with data from Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota and Illinois if applicable. Since Minnesota has unique climatic conditions, findings from meta-analyses were not included, except as background or where regional differences were noted.
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    Minnesota Soil Health Action Framework
    (2024-01) Rhees, Suzanne; Lewandowski, A. Marcelle; Cates, Anna; Gile, Tom
    The purpose of this report is to develop an action framework to increase adoption of soil health management practices. We believe that improving the health of soils across the state means a more stable, financially sound, and productive agricultural sector; healthier lakes, streams and groundwater; better habitat; more carbon storage; and opportunities for flood mitigation through more dispersed water storage. This document is a framework of desired outcomes, metrics, strategies, and actions, intended to be used by diverse interests to guide their planning for advancing soil health. The document resulted from meetings of an advisory group representing diverse interests from both the public and private sector.
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    Minnesota Soil Health Action Framework: Fact Sheet
    (2024-01) Rhees, Suzanne; Lewandowski, A. Marcelle; Cates, Anna; Gile, Tom
    The purpose of this report is to develop an action framework to increase adoption of soil health management practices. We believe that improving the health of soils across the state means a more stable, financially sound, and productive agricultural sector; healthier lakes, streams and groundwater; better habitat; more carbon storage; and opportunities for flood mitigation through more dispersed water storage. This document is a framework of desired outcomes, metrics, strategies, and actions, intended to be used by diverse interests to guide their planning for advancing soil health. The document resulted from meetings of an advisory group representing diverse interests from both the public and private sector.