Back on October 10, 2024, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) hosted an educational field day at Brandon Farms, led by our senior agricultural conservation specialist, Robert Waring. The hands-on event drew ag professionals from across the state for demonstrations of practical conservation techniques and cutting-edge technology.
The morning kicked off with detailed demonstrations of essential farm equipment. Participants got an up-close look at:
Combine for harvesting corn and beans
No-Till Multipurpose Planter
No-Till Drill
Aerial Seeding for Cover Crops
Above (left): Bob Waring, Senior Conservationist, explaining the mechanics of a no-till planter to attendees.
Above (right): Bob explaining the mechanics of a no-till multipurpose planter to attendees.
A highlight of the day was learning in-field techniques for estimating crop yields. The hands-on session covered:
Plant population counts
Row spacing measurements
Head/ear counts per plant
Kernel development assessment
Calculation methods for yield projection
Summer Cover Crop Demonstration
Brandon Farms’ innovative summer cover crop mix provided the perfect living classroom. Participants examined several acres of diverse species including:
Warm-season grasses: Sorghum Sudan Grass
Legumes: Vetch, Cowpea, Sun hemp, and Balansa Clover
The mix demonstrated how multiple species can work together to:
Build soil organic matter
Prevent erosion
Support beneficial insects
Suppress weeds
Fix nitrogen
Above (left): Bob engaging the audience in a cover crop discussion.
Above (right): 2023 Fall cover crop mix to include: buckwheat, sunflower, radish, mustard, sun hemp, and Siberian kale.
The day concluded with an exciting demonstration of aerial cover crop seeding using drone technology. Attendees watched as winter cover crop seed was precisely distributed across standing crops, allowing for earlier establishment without waiting for harvest.
Benefits of drone seeding highlighted included:
Earlier seeding dates
Reduced soil compaction
Access to wet areas
Labor efficiency
Thank You! Special thanks to Brandon Farms for hosting our DCR partners, and all the participants who made this field day a success. The diverse lineup of equipment demonstrations, yield estimation techniques, cover crop examinations, and drone technology showcased the breadth of practical conservation solutions available. These practical, hands-on events are vital for sharing conservation knowledge across our farming community.
Read more articles in the Winter 2024 CSWCD Newsletter here.
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