Cropland Assistance

CROPLAND ASSISTANCE 

  • Nutrient Management Planning
    • Voluntary Nutrient Management
      Plans (VNMP) –       custom
      N-P-K fertilizer plan based on soil test analysis, realistic crop yields and
      tri-state fertility recommendations for crop production. 

PDF version
of Tri-State Fertility Guide – FREE download:

https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/tri-state-fertilizer-recommendations-for-corn-soybean-wheat-and-alfalfa-pdf/

  • Comprehensive Nutrient
    Management Plans (CNMP)-     custom fertilizer plans for livestock manure
    applications.  Based on soil test analysis,
    crop yields, manure analysis and USDA/NRCS 590 specifications. Includes
    setback distances for sensitive areas and application method and timing
    restrictions. 

NRCS 590
specification:

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/28548/590_OH_CPS_Nutrient_Management_2020

  • Soil Testing
    • SWCD Soil Test Program – SWCD “turn-key” program for
      soil test analysis and interpretation.
      Landowner collects sample and brings to SWCD office.  SWCD mails soil sample to Laboratory
      and provides analysis with recommendations to landowner based on results
      from lab sample. This is a fee based program that covers shipping and
      laboratory cost.
    • Collecting
      Sample


https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132

  • Interpreting
    Analysis

                           https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/agf-0514

·
Soil Analysis Laboratories

                           https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0107

 

  • Best Management Practices for Soil
    Erosion
    • Grassed Waterway – Grassed waterways are
      constructed shallow channels, permanently seeded to grass that convey
      surface water across a crop field.
      Grass waterways protect soil from gully erosion and reduce
      sediment and nutrient runoff. 
      • Grade Stabilization Structure – These structures are often
        made of large angular rock, called rock chutes.  These chutes control the passage of
        water through a sudden drop in elevation, reducing the erosive force of
        the water on the stream bank.
        Often rock chutes are paired with grassed waterways that outlet
        into a stream or ditch. Drop structures are another grade stabilization
        structure that are used to transition water quickly.  These structures can be made of
        treated lumber, concrete or manufactured pipe.
      • Conservation Tillage – Conservation tillage
        includes no-till, strip till and mulch
        till         planting practices.  No-till is a
        planting method with no tillage of the soil prior to planting, leaving
        100% of the previous crop residue on the soil surface.  Strip
        Till         is a planting method where tillage is only done in narrow
        strips across the field, leaving the area between the strips
        untilled.  Crops and nutrients are then placed into the tilled
        strips.  Mulch till is a planting method with
        minimal tillage prior to planting, leaving at least 30% of the previous
        crop residue at the surface.  Conservation tillage practices
        improve soil quality by reducing soil erosion and increasing soil
        organic matter and soil tilth.    
    • Cover Crops – Cover crops such as cereal
      rye, clover, oats and winter wheat are planted to temporarily protect the
      soil from wind and water erosion during times when commodity crops (like
      corn and soybeans) are not being grown in the field.   Cover
      crops that survive the winter months also supply living roots that benefit
      soil ecology.  Cover crops can also trap and store nutrients and
      reduce weeds.
wheat field