MERRILL, Iowa -- “Looking at root systems is like reading a book. What is above ground is like the cover of the book, but what is below ground really determines how crop performs, like the contents of a book,” said Joel DeJong, crops field specialist, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension. During a field day on Sept. 6 you’ll have a chance to look at root systems under no-tillage to evaluate crop performance.

The Iowa Learning Farm is hosting a field day to illustrate the importance of no-tillage for soil quality and crop productivity. Farmers, agribusiness persons and the public are invited to the field day beginning at 1 p.m. south of Merrill. The Plymouth County Pork Producers, Plymouth County  Farm Bureau and Agriliance LLC  will provide lunch at noon. The field day will be repeated again at 6:30 p.m. There will be no meal served for the evening event.

 “To be successful with no-tillage, equipment, fertilizer and residue need to be managed correctly," said Mahdi Al-Kaisi, ISU Extension soil management specialist.  “The benefits of no-tillage for energy savings, soil tilth improvement and water quality improvement, far exceed the perceived negatives.”

The field day is located south of Merrill 2 miles on Highway 75, west 1.5 miles on Jade Avenue, and east 0.5 mile on Ideal Road.

If you have questions about the field day call Joel DeJong at (641) 743-6124 or Jim Lahn, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist, at (641) 782-8426.

The Iowa Learning Farm seeks to help Iowa farmers identify and use conservation systems to improve soil and water quality on their land. The Iowa Learning Farm is a partnership between Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation, ISU Extension, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with Conservation Districts of Iowa and Iowa Farm Bureau.

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