Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

No-Till on the Plains AIM Symposium--rising to the challenge
http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/jan08/jan14/No-TillonthePlainsAIMSympos.cfm


Kansas

Agriculture's Innovative Minds Symposium will be held Jan. 31 in Heritage
Hall at the Bicentennial Center, Salina, Kan., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The premise of the AIM Symposium is to Challenge the Innovators. The
exploration of cover crops, crop rotations and soil biology will be
discussed in great detail. Rising to the challenge are: Gabe Brown,
Bismarck, N.D., producer and Kenneth Miller, Burleigh County SCD; Dr.
Kristine Nichols, USDA-NRCS, Mandan, N.D.; Dr. Telmo Amado of the
University of Santa Maria, Brazil and Kansas State University.

Speaker Gabe Brown will share new head-turning economic data. Can you grow
140-plus bushels of corn on less than 15 pounds of commercial nitrogen?
Gabe does. With fertilizer prices continuing to rise, this is valuable
information for today's producer.

Kris Nichols will address questions such as these: "Can mineralization and
organic matter levels increase in the same system? Why are diversity and
plant cover so important? How can you plant a cover crop in a semi-arid,
cold climate?"

In addition, Telmo Amado, an adjunct professor at Kansas State University
and no-till expert from South America, will share how crop rotations and
cover crops can boost soil health, resulting in more profit for you.

Additional expert no-till producers from throughout the region will also
give their valuable insights and help "tie it all together."

No-Till on the Plains Executive Director Brian Lindley states, "We are
realizing more each day the critical and beneficial importance of soil
life. The AIM speakers will delve into the world of soil microbiology and
cover crops like never before. Biological activity in the soil is critical
for successful crop production."

The primary goal of this meeting is to accelerate the learning curve
concerning soil health, cover crops and crop rotations while remaining
profitable. The positive effects of living biological activity in the soil
are largely unknown to most producers. Producers should leave this meeting
with an improved understanding of cover crops, crop rotations, and how to
kick-start the biology in their systems. We will draw on the expertise from
producers with climates and altitudes similar to ours as well as those
higher, hotter, and drier than the bulk of those in attendance. Together
we'll learn of the successes and failures others have experienced and work
towards developing a successful system that producers can take home and put
into production. These are not theories--these producers are living it and
enjoying the economic gains and benefits that improved soil health offers.

If you are searching for ways to boost your no-till system, don't miss this
opportunity. We are truly excited about this follow-up event to a
phenomenal Winter Conference."

Registration for the AIM Symposium is $150 before Jan. 15 or $200 after
deadline. Take advantage of the early discount "Combo Package" of $250
which includes registration for Winter Conference and AIM by Jan. 15.
Materials as well as lunch will be provided. Call 888-330-5142 or register
for the Symposium at www.notill.org.

1/14/08
1 Star WK\18-B

Date: 1/10/08