Soils workshop set for Columbia, Aug. 13-14

COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Rebuilding Soils for a Changing Climate” is the theme of the Aug. 13-14 Soil Health Exposition at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center.

MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are sponsors for free the event. The expo runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.

“Climatic changes are bringing about increased drought events and harder rains, both of which can have long-lasting effects on soil productivity,” says MU research specialist Kerry Clark. “If we are going to save our soil resource and increase our agricultural productivity, changes in farming practices are going to be necessary.” Many of those practices will be discussed at this expo.

The keynote speaker on Aug. 13 is Terry Taylor, a longtime no-till farmer in Illinois. Taylor has used cover crops on claypan soils. Other speakers will discuss soil biology, planting cover crops and economics of soil health practices.

Farmer Keith Berns of Bladen, Nebraska, speaks on cover crops on Aug. 14. Berns developed the SmartMix Calculator, an online spreadsheet for planning cover crop mixes. Linus Rothermich and Luke Linnenbringer discuss efforts to improve soil health on their mid-Missouri farms on Aug. 14 as well.

Representatives of MU, NRCS and the USDA Agricultural Research Service will be available to discuss soil health practices.

“Farmers can attend one day or both,” says Clark. “Each day will have unique presentations and will be packed with information for producers.”

Vendors include equipment and seed dealers. Lunch is available for purchase at the center. For more information, contact Clark at [email protected] or 573-884-7945, or go to aes.missouri.edu/bradford/events/soilexpo.php.

Bradford Research Center, part of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, is east of Columbia. Part of Highway WW, so directions have changed:

From I-70, turn south at Exit 133, Highway Z. Go to the first stop sign, jog left to the next stop sign and turn right on Rangeline Road. The farm is 4 miles ahead.

From Columbia, go east from Highway 63 South at the AC exit onto New Haven Road. Go about 5.5 miles to Rangeline Road and turn right 1 mile.

Bridge construction will keep Highway WW closed for about 45 days, affecting field days at the MU research center.