Applied Soil Compaction Field Day and Videos.

UMN Extension, NDSU Extension Service, commodity groups and equipment manufactures held a unique field day addressing tillage and compaction near Fergus Falls, MN in the fall of 2011.  Four soil pits were created with alternating light-dark soil layers to illustrate how management techniques effect soil compaction. Experts in the field of crops, soils and farming equipment discussed how compaction is formed, its effect on plant growth, and how equipment choices, maintenance, and management can be used to minimize compaction during the day’s concurrent sessions.

Over 200 people attended the field day.  All the participants surveyed agreed that what they learned at this field day will help them address compaction issues in their own farming situations. 

As an extension to this field day, four videos were produced and distributed on the web via You Tube and displayed at farm show booth(s) in the region.  In the first four months, the videos received over 2,500 on-line views in 46 countries.