Learn methods for managing and minimizing soil compaction impact on crop yields, Nov. 14

Soil compaction caused by farm machinery and field traffic will be discussed at an upcoming Soil Compaction School event on Nov. 14. The event will cover methods to minimize compaction and mitigate any soil compaction that may have already occurred.

“Soil compaction can significantly impact crop yields, as it can push soil particles together, reducing soil infiltration capacities and increasing resistance to crop root penetration and development,” said Kapil Arora, field agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “This, in turn, impacts moisture and nutrient availability to crop plants for growth and development, even under favorable weather conditions. Ten to 20 percent yield loss has been reported under unfavorable weather conditions.”

The Soil Compaction School event will begin with check-in at 8:30 a.m. at the Field Extension Education Laboratory, located at 1928 240th St., Boone, and the program will start at 9 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the school will be held at the same location and time on Nov. 17.

Demonstrations of field equipment, including wheeled and track tractors, will take place in the afternoon at the field next to the Soil Machine Dynamics Laboratory. Equipment will be driven over a specially constructed soil "lasagna" to demonstrate the amount of compaction caused by different tires and tire inflation pressures, noted Tekeste, associate professor and director of the SDML. Soil pressure sensors buried at different depths will also be used to measure tire inflation pressure response.

The event is sponsored, in part, by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, CNH Industrial and Elder Corporation. The event qualifies for six professional development hours and six soil and water certified crop advisor credits. Credits have been applied for.

A complimentary lunch will be served at noon to all registered participants. Participants are asked to register online by Nov. 10. Registration is required and is limited to 50 participants.

“We encourage farmers to join the school to watch and learn how tire technologies, tire pressures and tracks can impact soil compaction and explore practices to manage it,” said Arora.  

For more information, visit the event web page