New Incubator Farm: Towards a Nature-Positive Dairy Production

In this Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast episode, Dr. Isaac Mpanga, Yara's Sustainable Food Solutions Director, discusses the importance of sustainable food systems and agronomic agricultural practices. They explore the role of stakeholders in making sustainable agriculture a reality and how Yara is involved in promoting sustainable practices. Isaac emphasizes the need for coordination and communication among all players in the food chain to achieve transformation and sustainability. He also highlights the challenges growers face in implementing sustainable practices and the importance of return on investment for farmers. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the progress and future of sustainable agriculture.

We're excited to announce the launch of their sixth incubator farm in North America near Livingston County, New York, focused on improving forage quality and environmental sustainability in dairy feed production. The farm is a 150-acre field separated into strips alternating between corn silage and alfalfa. The goal is to study different crop nutrition programs and their impact on forage quality. The farm also aims to explore the relationship between manure nutrients and Yara fertilizers, as well as the use of calcium nitrate on alfalfa. The project is part of Yara's vision of nature-positive dairy production and aligns with the dairy industry's goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050.  Emmaline Long, Agronomy Solutions Manager at Yara, will be leading our efforts at this incubator farm.

This episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast focuses on the vital role of potassium in citrus production and how it can boost yields. Potassium is crucial for water, nutrient, and carbohydrate movement in plants, enhancing leaf size, tree vigor, and overall health. It plays a major role in crop yield and fruit quality in citrus crops. Citrus trees take up more potassium than nitrogen, making it a critical nutrient. The right source of potassium depends on soil type and timing of application. Frequent applications in smaller doses are recommended for better nutrient uptake. Potassium deficiency can lead to hindered growth and smaller, lower-quality fruit.  Yara Sales Agronomist, Vanessa Dominguez, joins us to help explain this agronomic golden nugget.   Learn more about citrus crop nutrition HERE.

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Tobin Stetson, a seasoned professional with a rich civil engineering and soil conservation background, who recently joined Yara to support our efforts in the Eastern Canadian markets.  We discuss the relationship between civil engineering and soil conservation, the importance of water in agriculture, and the projects Tobin has worked on in Prince Edward Island. We also explore sustainable farming practices, the impact of irrigation on crop production, and the role of Yara in supporting farmers in Eastern Canada. Tobin comes to us with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He has spent six years as a Soil & Water Conservation Engineer with the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Department of Agriculture. During his tenure, Tobin has been at the forefront of implementing advanced solutions in soil conservation, irrigation, and wastewater management. He's also deeply involved in enhancing farm infrastructure and promoting sustainable farming practices.

This is the 5th and final episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a network of incubator farms that Yara North America. These farms are dedicated to find innovative ways to improve farm productivity balanced with sustainable practices that can be implemented by growers to improve their on-farm profits. In this episode the focus is on the Arkansas Delta incubator farm and its efforts to enhance nutrient and water use efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase yields. The standout feature of this farm is the tailwater recovery system, which recycles excess irrigation and rainwater and meters nitrogen application on a demand basis. The collaboration between Yara and the University of Arkansas has led to significant improvements in nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction. The farm has also seen a reduction in labor output and disruption of soil health. The tailwater pump technology is available to farmers, and they can receive incentive payments to implement it on their farms. Guest experts on this episode are: • Curt Knight, Soil Health Agronomist at Yara, • Neil Mayberry, Yara Regional Market Development Manager of the Easter US • Dr. Christopher Henry, Associate Professor and Water Management Engineer at the University of Arkansas.  He is a specialist in irrigation system design, scheduling, and efficiency. • Dr. Tim Burcham, Director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, or NERREC, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

We are in the forth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a network of incubator farms that Yara North America is using to find innovative ways to improve farm productivity balanced with sustainable practices that can be implemented by growers to improve their on-farm profits.  In this episode, Scott Warr and Erika Wagner discuss the Yara incubator farm in the Snake River Valley, Idaho, and its focus on potato production. They explore the differences between potato production for fries and the fresh market, as well as the objectives of the incubator farm in terms of crop nutrition, yield, quality, and carbon footprint. They also discuss the levers that can be pulled to reduce emissions in potato production and the importance of nutrient management in potato sizing and quality. Erika shares her excitement about the new season in the Snake River Valley and highlights the conferences and events where potato growers can learn more about the industry. Erika Wagner, Agronomy Solutions Manager.  Erika has a BS in molecular biology and a masters in agronomy. Fun facts about potato production in Idaho: • Idaho grows the most acres of potatoes of any US state with 328,850 planted in 2023. • The majority of the potatoes grown are russet potatoes. • Russet potatoes grown in Idaho are used for processing into fries and for the fresh market. • The majority of potato acres in Idaho are located in the Snake River Valley.

We are in the third episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a network of incubator farms that Yara North America is using to find innovative ways to improve farm productivity balanced with sustainable practices that can be implemented by growers to improve their on-farm profits.  Today, we're talking about the incubator farm in the  Canadian prairies to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Spread across 40 acres, we are studying essential crops like wheat, canola, peas, and barley. Managing the farm is Yara's Delaine Mandziak, Agronomist now focusing on biologicals.

In this part 2 of our Incubator Farm series, Devin Clarke, takes us to the Yara Almond Incubator Farm in Modesto, California, a pioneering site in the heart of California's Central Valley. The farm is part of a series dedicated to exploring innovative solutions that combine enhanced farm productivity with sustainable practices. This 80-acre farm, which also features a walnut grove, functions as a collaborative research hub. Devin Clarke, Agronomy Solutions Manager at Yara North America and a member of the Strategic Ag Innovation Committee for the Almond Board of California, delves into the cutting-edge practices being tested on this farm. The focus of the discussion is on continuous fertigation, a method that optimizes nutrient delivery to almond trees based on weekly crop demand curves. This strategy not only improves nutrient use efficiency but also boosts yield and reduces disease incidence, such as whole rot. Devin emphasizes the farm's role in pushing the boundaries of traditional almond farming by integrating innovative crop nutrition management strategies that enhance productivity and soil health. The episode also touches on the challenges of scaling these practices, including the need for better infrastructure and practical guidance to support the widespread adoption of continuous fertigation among growers. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how collaborative efforts at the Yara Almond Incubator Farm are reshaping the future of nut farming, aligning technological advances with sustainable agricultural practices.

This is the first in a series of episodes focused on the five incubator farms that Yara is managing in North America.  Launched in 2019, the Yara Incubator Farms Network is not just a series of farms; it's a visionary project connecting the dots between farming practices and the global food chain. With over 600 acres across North America, these farms serve as a living laboratory where cutting-edge research in soil fertility and crop nutrient management is conducted. This isn't just about increasing yields; it's about revolutionizing how we approach food production in harmony with the environment. At the core of this initiative is the commitment to a triple bottom line: achieving climate neutrality, fostering sustainable farming practices, and enhancing Prosperity—all while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each farm within this network exemplifies Yara's dedication to these principles. In this episode, we zoom in on a key player within this network—the Soil Health Incubator Farm in Auburn, Alabama. Situated within the EV Smith Research Station in collaboration with Auburn University, this 80-acre site serves as a prime example of how innovative farming practices can profoundly impact soil health and crop productivity. Curt Knight, a Soil Health Agronomist at Yara, brings a wealth of knowledge with his Masters in Agronomy and soil science. Curt will shed light on the dynamic approaches being employed at the Auburn Incubator Farm to not only enhance soil health but also ensure profitable returns for farmers.

How important is the thin layer of crust on earth that we call soil? Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara North America's Director of Agronomy, and soil science expert Professor John Havlin help us understand. Dr. Havlin's work has not only revolutionized grape cultivation in North Carolina but also advanced sustainable farming practices worldwide. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of soil fertility practices, the impact of nutrient management on crop quality, and the significance of long-term agricultural trials. We'll also delve into Professor Havlin's intriguing research on wine grapes and how soil health drives the growing wine industry in North Carolina. Nutrient management can become an opportunity for environmental stewardship. Some Takeaways: Soil science is crucial for sustainable agriculture and the future of food production. Nutrient management and long-term trials play a significant role in improving farming practices. The book 'Soil Fertility and Fertilizer' has evolved over the years to address changing agricultural practices and environmental concerns. There is a need for more young people to pursue careers in soil science and agriculture. Teaching quantitative skills in soil science is a challenge but essential for understanding the science behind soil health and fertility. The work with wine grapes in North Carolina has been the most exciting and rewarding for John Havlin. Nutrient management, particularly nitrogen application, plays a crucial role in improving the quality of wine grapes. Soil health and fertility are essential for successful grape growing. The grape industry in North Carolina has grown significantly in the past few decades. Dr. Havlin holds the position of professor and extension specialist in Crop & Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University. He has also served as the past president of the Soil Science Society of America. Dedicated to raising awareness about soil's crucial role, Dr. Havlin's efforts have contributed to the establishment of the House of Representatives Soils Caucus and a $4 million educational exhibit at the Smithsonian, which opened in 2008. This exhibit aims to educate the museum’s six million annual visitors on how soil is fundamentally connected to human health, environmental sustainability, and planetary well-being. To learn more check out these links: Document for the Carolina Geological Society (2022) Journal article summarizing some of our vineyard nutrient management research (2022), which will serve as the basis for an Extension product coming out later this year.