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Hello to Spring’s Possibilities

I’m delighted to say it’s February! January flies by in a snowstorm of trade shows, meetings and face to face visits with real people. When I turn the calendar to February, spring seems on a not-quite-as-distant horizon. Though it’s still the quiet of winter, I can already feel the earliest hints of the upcoming season percolating. Trade show season has come and gone, a few lucky people have gone on real holidays to a sunny warm climate and the days are getting longer. The season is still a ways away, but it’s coming. Are you feeling the possibilities of the season ahead?

February is the perfect time to start thinking about what’s going to happen next for your farm business. With the major work of the growing season on seasonal pause, now is the time to dream and scheme, plan and prepare. What do you need for a successful season ahead? What might you like to change up, throw away or try out this year? What can you plan for now to be as prepared as possible? Perhaps most importantly, what would make you excited and energized for the season ahead?

I won’t tell you that seed selection is the silver bullet to farm success and blissful life happiness. But, I really do think trying new things – be they new varieties, new techniques, new technologies – keeps farming fresh and engaging. The farmers I know who have the biggest pep in their step about farming tend to be the guys and gals who show up for spring farmer meetings, who call me up to chat about new variety options, who approach farming with a spirit of possibility and lifetime learning.

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Trending Video

Residue Management

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.