June 27, 2008

No-till on the Plains is hosting a one-day whirlwind tour July 30 in northeast Nebraska. Topics will provide farmers with ways to increase profitability, gain better agronomic understanding of soils and their reactions to fertility, improve water quality, and also increase efficiency with new rotations and sequencing of crops.

The event is partially funded through grants from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and PrairieLand RC&D.

The day-long event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Kelly Ickler farm (go five miles west of Plainview on Hwy 20 to 1320 Junction or 531 Avenue, then one mile south). Plainview is located east of Hwy 281 approximately 42 miles northwest of Norfolk.The Expo will feature soil pits on-site and in-field demonstrations. This will be an excellent opportunity to see the rainfall simulator in action and witness how continuous no-till benefits soil structure. A catered lunch will be provided to all who pre-register.

Producers attending previous Whirlwind Tours said they liked: Using an actual farm setting to discuss a continuous no-till system; seeing first-hand the [soil] pits and effects of cover crops; field observations; smooth registration; the rainfall simulator presentation was great -- you could hear a pin drop - he had everyone's attention; farmer input; field demonstrations; cover crops; equipment; the speakers; and information on fertilizer and organic matter.

No-till on the Plains is a regional organization that reaches over 3,000 farmers yearly. The farmer-run group promotes practical and scientific application of continuous no-till farming. For more information on the Whirlwind No-till Expo or to pre-register by July 25, contact No-Till on the Plains, Inc. at 888-330-5142, register online at www.notill.org, or contact your local NRCS office.