By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH
Indiana Correspondent

AUBURN, Ind. — Farmers wanting to improve their crop yields and plant health should take a closer look at their soil, according to a presenter at last week’s Tri-State Conservation Farming Expo.

Producers should look at what crops they rotate, how many crops they rotate and how those things impact the soil, said Jill Clapperton, of Earthspirit Land Resource Consulting.
“Aboveground diversity is a mirror for belowground diversity,” she said. “It’s not just a chain, but a whole web.”

Research has shown adding a forage crop in the middle of a rotation can have benefits to crops planted later, she said. In one study, the nutrient content increased in wheat that was planted after a forage crop had been added to the rotation.

“You have to look at what varieties would work best for you,” she said. “You can even make it pretty and make it a field of flowers. The challenge is to try it. Just have a go at it, and see how it works. This is a great opportunity to add diversity to your rotation.”
Increasing crop diversity will help preserve the habitats in the soil, which only benefits crops, she said.

“You really need to start understanding your soil. You can do tissue tests and grain tests. There’s nothing wrong with experimenting and maybe putting in a test strip or two,” Clapperton explained.
A grower who has practiced no-till for years probably doesn’t need to be using as many chemicals as is often advised, she explained, adding that the best approach is to have biological fertilizers augmenting chemical ones.

Farmers who do till run the risk of seeing a decrease in the amount of earthworms in their soil, she said. Earthworms are a good indicator of soil health and provide nutrients, such as calcium. Clapperton recommends that farmers who think they need to till should do it in the spring, as fields tilled in the fall have fewer earthworms than those tilled in the spring, or not at all.
Whether farmers consider adding a forage crop to their rotation or change their tillage habits, they should realize that what works for one may not work for others, she said.

“I believe in best practices, but they are individual,” she said. “Everyone has their own capabilities, and you should find what works best for you. There isn’t a one-size-fits-everyone approach. There also is no one thing that will solve all your problems. You sometimes just need to think a little outside the circle.”
The ninth annual expo was Feb. 15 at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum.

Focus on environment

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s strategic plan emphasizes environmental stewardship, said Joe Kelsey, the department’s director. Kelsey, who also spoke at the expo, took over as director in November.

“Taking good care of the environment is on the top of our minds. As we learn more about the world around us, we’ve become more conscious about our actions. We became a bit more green,” he said.

Since 83 percent of Indiana’s land is under the control of farmers or foresters, agriculture can play a key role in solving environmental issues, said Kelsey, a Johnson County dairy farmer.

“In addition to providing food, fuel and fiber, Hoosier farmers, landowners and foresters provide green space and a tax-base for their non-farm neighbors,” he pointed out.

The department’s strategic plan, which was launched last year, also includes advocacy and economic opportunity.

“Customers do care about what happens on the farm, but don’t understand why we do the things we do,” he said. “Our mission is to fill the gap with realistic information about agriculture.”

As for the economy, Kelsey said as recovery moves forward, Indiana is positioned to be a “shining star,” as compared to neighboring states. “Indiana is a great place to be in agriculture. We have resources and the expertise and knowledge,” he said.