Engineering Your Farm

In this episode we sit down with Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Regional Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, to discuss how to prevent and address soil compaction issues. Topics include the effects of tillage,  the role of tire inflation pressure, how to fix ruts, and using cover crops to improve soil resiliency. To learn more, visit https://extension.umn.edu/soil-management-and-health/soil-compaction and follow Jodi on Twitter @SoilLorax.

In this episode Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineer Brian Dougherty sits down with Zack Smith, co-inventor of the Stock Cropper, to discuss his vision for diversifying farms by incorporating livestock into row cropped farmland and agroforestry systems. To learn more visit https://thestockcropper.com/ and follow along on The StockCropper YouTube channel or on Twitter @zebulousprime
 

Listen in as host Brian Dougherty sits down with Dr. Larry Weber from the University of Iowa, John Rathbun, watershed coordinator in Clear Creek Watershed, and Jamie Benning from Iowa State University, to discuss the Iowa Watershed Approach project and related efforts to mitigate flooding and improve water quality in Iowa. Does tile drainage affect flooding? What can we do to improve water quality in Iowa? Listen in and visit https://iowawatershedapproach.org/ to learn more. 

Ever wondered how a drone can help you better manage your farm? Check out the latest 'buzz' about drones as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field ag engineer Brian Dougherty chats with Ryan Gibbs, owner of Gibbsfield Ag LLC, about how he uses drones as part of his custom spraying and cover crop business. Ryan also shares some thoughts on where he thinks drone technology is headed and how they will be used on farms in the future. 

Listen in as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineer Brian Dougherty sits down with Dr. Melissa Wilson, assistant professor and Extension specialist in manure management and water quality at the University of Minnesota, to discuss her research on using manure with cover crops and sidedressing manure into standing corn. You can follow Dr. Wilson on Twitter at @ManureProf and @UMNmanure and learn more about her research at z.umn.edu/manureresearch2020

Email us at [email protected] with comments and suggestions and follow us on Twitter at  @IAFieldAgEngrs 

Listen in as Iowa State University Extension Ag Engineering Fields Specialists Kapil Arora and Shawn Shouse discuss how to determine whether you should repair or replace damaged grain facilities. Kapil and Shawn also give some tips on management of stored grain and tips for keeping grain in good condition as temperatures increase during spring.

In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, host Shawn Shouse discusses olfactometry and the science behind what causes farm odors with Dr. Jacek Koziel, Professor in the Department of
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. Dr. Koziel has dedicated his career to measuring and mitigating farm odors. 

Listen in as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field ag engineers Shawn Shouse and Brian Dougherty discuss strategies and tips for improving wintertime ventilation of facilities for both dairy and beef cattle. 

In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, host Shawn Shouse discusses the history, development, applications, and future direction of mechanical and chemical robotic weed control technologies with Dr. Brian Steward and Dr. Lie Tang from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University.

This podcast is produced by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agricultural engineering team. We are a group of agricultural engineers that work with farmers and agribusiness professionals to help improve the efficiency, profitability, and environmental outcomes on farms.   

This podcast will feature information and interviews with ISU Extension field ag engineers and others with expertise in engineering and environmental issues in agriculture. We will cover a variety of topics including grain drying, handling and storage issues, livestock facility design and ventilation, soil and water management, manure management, machinery management, composting, farm safety, and more. We will also discuss solutions to common problems with homes and farmsteads, including energy efficiency improvements, indoor air quality, and well water quality.

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