What are SD No-Tiller saying About Soil Temperatures
Channel: USDA NRCS South Dakota
Date: 2017-10-11

In the previous three videos we have looked at and discussed some soil temperature data from the 2016 growing season in Vermillion, SD.  In this video we speak to some long-term no-till farmers from Crooks in the east to Box Elder in the west of South Dakota and guage their opinions.  While all recognize that residue may reduce soil temperatures in the spring, they also recognize that early growth in the spring is not a good yield predictor.  As we have heard Al Miron and Ralph Holtzwarth say: “you don’t harvest your corn in June!”.  Ultimately one of the main benefits of residue farmers value in the summer is its ability to keep the soil moister for longer.  In a dry year, this property is critical.  Bottom line is that for these farmers, cooler spring soil temperatures are a non-issue in terms of their yield.  

Visit www.meritormyth.com or the NRCS Soil Health Information Center at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/soils/health/.

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