What do we do differently?
Tillage
In Minnesota, we utilize Salford tillage implements for every tillage pass.
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We understand the importance of soil structure, organic matter & microbial function. Salford equipment aligns perfectly with the goals we have in place for our soil.
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Minimal soil disturbance, higher OM levels, along with lower fuel & maintenance costs are just a few of the benefits we have observed from transitioning to 100% Salford.
Row Crop Planting
On the Minnesota farm, we run full Precision Planting on both our Corn & Soybean planters.
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Precision Planting has many tools that help us to get accurate planting specs across every acre.
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WIth this technology we are able to have accurate downforce & precise seed delivery to ensure consistent emergence no matter the soil type/conditions.
no-till seeding
In Montana we no-till our acres. Due to the minimal moisture climate, we must take advantage of anything we can get to conserve this moisture.
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By taking the no-till route, we are able to keep the moisture in the soil while also maintaining the soil structure.
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We utilize a disk-drill rather than a hoe-drill so the seed is placed right where the moisture is, without disturbing the soil causing moisture losses.
Fertilizer & soil sampling
Every 3-4 years we have our fields grid sampled. With our grid-sample results we are able to utilize variable rate applications.
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With variable rate, we are able to get accurate Fertilizer rates in all areas of the field. In return, we maximize our yield potential and prevent over application.
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We also utilize composite samples when it comes to top dress season. Early summer we topdress 30-50% of our nitrogen needs on our Corn acres to provide that extra mid-season push while helping to reduce nitrogen leaching/losses.
Growing Season & Chemical Application
Throughout the growing seasons between both farms, we have trusted agronomists run across every acre, taking notes and writing up chemical recommendations.
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With these recommendations we are able get chemical applied in a timely fashion, as well as utilize precision spraying to ensure we are only applying as needed in the right areas of the field.
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This results in lower costs & fewer chemicals.
Harvesting & Residue management
Residue has value on our farms- With the arid climate in Northeast Montana, we utilize stripper headers for various crops to help trap in moisture and shade the soil with the leftover residue to aid in the next years' yield.
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In Minnesota, we prioritize crop residue to help build our organic matter levels and overall soil health while protecting our soil.
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When it comes to our equipment, we utilize tracked combines, grain carts, and tractors to minimize our compaction levels and decrease our mechanical footprint on both farms.
Manure & compost
It has been over 25 years since our operations left the livestock industry. As a result we lost our access to high quality, natural fertilizer.
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Over these past few decades we have lacked a vital part within our soil building plan. As a result we have been partnering with local livestock producers to source various types of manure.
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We build manure plans based on soil samples to determine which fields to apply, and at what rate.
Innovation
Over the past several decades, technology has become an important part of our operation. Accurate data now plays a key role in how we manage our fields.
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We use Climate FieldView to log planting, application, and harvest data across every acre. This allows us to evaluate performance by field and zone and track results year over year.
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By collecting and reviewing this data, we’re able to make informed decisions, adjust management practices, and continuously improve efficiency across our farm.