In this Minnesota Crop Cast (#54) podcast Jodi DeJong-Hughes, an University of Minnesota Extension educator, who works for the Water Resources Center and specializes in the impact of tillage practices on crop yield and soil health was our guest. Jodi has developed her expertise in the area of how compaction occurs, prevention and remediation.

During the podcast Jodi reviewed how soil compaction can occur any time a heavy piece of equipment moves across a field and what factors increase the probability of it occurring. Such as when moving heavy equipment or tilling the soil when it is wet causes clay particles to slide around against each other, eventually ending up much closer to one another with fewer soil pores than before the field operation took place. Jodi emphasized that the primary goal is prevention for soil compaction via reducing axle loads, trips and adjusting tire pressure among other practices. Jodi also discussed some different field-based practices/tillage options to alleviate soil compaction via mechanical remediation etc.

Finally, Jodi recommended that crop producers consider attending virtually the Northern Soil Compaction Conference that will occur on four Tuesday mornings (9 am-noon CST) this February (Feb 3, 10, 17, 24). For a more in-depth discussion about the factors causing, preventing and alleviating soil compaction. Registration for the conference can be found at this conference site.