Set yourself up now for success next year
After this year’s stressful growing season, producers may want to start thinking about what they can do to set themselves up for success next year. For example, residue management needs to start while you’re on the combine this fall. Check out this article on how you can use combine settings to optimize residue management. Taller stubble height will trap more snow, increasing potential soil moisture next spring. Increasing soil organic matter will also improve soil moisture holding capacity. A fall soil nutrient test can help you plan your fertilizer program for next year, but the timing has to be right. If you haven’t started keeping records of herbicide applications already, any applications made this fall mark a good time to start — it will pay off in the long run. Soil compaction is inevitable, but it can be managed. Following the steps in the linked article can help minimize the effects of compaction on moisture retention.
