Clean Farm Families
About the Demonstration Plot
Bringing you local data behind soil health in-field trials!
Established in 2019 as a research plot, we experiment with new practices, seed mixes and technologies to demonstrate their soil health benefits and profitability.
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This 35 acre plot is split into 6 farmed sections of 5 acres each and is bordered by clover buffer strips. See Map 1 below for a detailed layout.
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We rotate Corn Grain, Soybeans and Winter Wheat. One plot in each crop is No-Tilled with the use of cover crops when applicable in rotation, and the other plot is conventionally farmed. The following year A1 crop moves to B1, A2 crop moves to B2, and so on. Number 1 fields are always conventional tillage and Number 2 fields are always no-tillage.
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Research, Research, Research!
You can't learn if you don't try! Below are past and current samples of research that have been completed at the demonstration plot:
Live Weather Data
This live stream weather data tracks historical and current air temperature, total and hourly rainfall, soil surface and subsurface temperature, and soil subsurface moisture.
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Multispectral Drone Imaging and Data Analysis
This type of imaging will provide valuable information about the health, growth, and changes in the crops and vegetation grown on our plots. This information can be used to optimize agriculture practices, leading to more efficient and sustainable outcomes. More information to come as we receive it!
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Rainfall Simulator
In collaboration with the Water Resources Monitoring Group, LLC, the Highway 57 Soil Health Demonstration Plot receives annual rainfall simulator tests. These tests provide information about infiltration and turbidity of the soil that runs off during the trial rain tests being completed.
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For more information about data collected in 2024, visit this website: https://www.cleanfarmfamilies.com/post/highway-57-demo-plot-sees-sediment-runoff-reduction-on-no-till-acres-with-cover-crops
Photos courtesy of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Corn Stalk Nitrate Tests
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This tool is intended to help corn growers determine if their N management practices were adequate or if adjustments could be made to improve profitability and/or reduce N losses to the environment.
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Both the conventional corn and no-till corn plots were tested in October 2023. Conventional Corn had optimal rates of nitrates at 920.05ppm, whereas No-Till Corn had low rates of nitrates at 312.48ppm.
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These results could indicate that the residue cover may have decreased mineralization due to colder soil temperatures, in which a higher application rate could be needed in the no-till field compared to the conventional.
Soil Microbe Health
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A soil microbe test was completed to look at the bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes in the soil for each plot. All 6 samples were very similar; there were lots of particles and minerals, but not a lot of life. The picture shown to the right is a beneficial, bacterial-feeding nematode found in plot C2.
The recommendation to increase soil life is to add compost, manure or integrating animals. The soil samples were taken before manure was applied so may repeat test next time after manure has been applied to all plots.
Different Planting Methods
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Interseeding
The practice of planting a cover crop or companion crop into a field where another crop is in the vegetative growth stage. At the plot, multispecies cover crop has been interseeded into no-till corn.
Airflow Seeding
A method of planting that uses pressurized air to plant seeds in the soil. This application has been done at the plot in late winter with clover into winter wheat.
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Upcoming Research Ideas
We are always looking for new ideas and concerns that farmers are facing in order to help find answers! Below are some upcoming research potentials we are looking at for 2024:
Slugs
Slugs can be an issue when it comes to no-till planting and prolonged wet conditions. This could be due to the increased residue providing a stable, cool and damp environment for the slugs to thrive.
In order to first determine if slugs are a problem in our no-till plots, we plan to purchase slug traps to determine if, and how many, slugs could be causing potential damage. Thereafter, we would research options to reduce slug infestation if it has become an issue.
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Nutrient Stratification
Nutrient stratification is the concentration of crop nutrients in a band of soil, often at or near the surface. The cause is up for debate on whether or not this occurs naturally in any system or if no-till increases the likelihood of such an issue.
The plan is to test for nutrient stratification in all of our plots and a nearby natural area to see if the conventionally tilled or no-till plots with cover crops have issues with nutrient stratification in comparison to the natural area.
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Nitrogen Study
This self assessment tool will track nitrogen through the season and can provide insight into potential nitrogen management improvements. The goal is to try different nitrogen application rates to determine their efficacy on crop yield improvements.