Biological Amendments, In-Furrow Fertility, Planting Best Practices
Biological seed treatments and amendments are a new frontier of organic ag and soil health. They can be a low-cost and yield-raising source of fertility, but they are also a new product and there is plenty of uncertainty about what actually works and the proper way to use them. Cut right to the chase of biologicals in this episode by hearing from university and industry experts to learn what biologicals can do and how to use them. We’ll talk with Dr. Connor Sible who has been researching biologicals at the University of Illinois, and Brett Bell, who is testing biologicals in field trials at Albert Lea seed.
This is a free Zoom Event!
SPEAKERS
Connor Sible, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois
Dr. Sible's research program focuses on understanding how agronomic practices influence the plant-microbiome interactions that drive nutrient cycling and crop productivity. He then uses applied field research to manage those interactions into high-yielding and resilient crop production systems to help farmers improve their yields, reduce risks, and ensure long-term profitability.
Brett Bell, President and CEO of Albert Lea Seed
Brett joined Albert Lea Seed in August of 2023 as the President and CEO. Prior to joining Albert Lea Seed, he held a number of leadership positions with Anuvia Plant Nutrients as EVP of Sales, Landus Cooperative as Chief Operating Officer, and Cargill as an Agronomy Leader. A farm kid from Iowa, Brett currently resides in Ames, IA with his wife Alyce and their three sons.
Sam Oschwald Tilton, Facilitator
“I have worked with organic farmers all over the US and Canada to understand production systems and solve weed management issues. This past season, on farms and in winter conferences, I spoke with as many farmers and ag professionals as I could to understand the questions that organic producers have, and the experts that they’d like to learn from. Those conversations helped me identify the topics and guests for this series. I am excited to bring together a wide range of farmers and ag professionals from many backgrounds, all of whom have an experienced perspective to share. In each call I look forward to having an intelligent conversation with the guest that introduces the topic to those who are unfamiliar and also dives deep to bring further understanding and clear tips to listeners. After the conversation, we’ll take questions from listeners, so that they can communicate directly with each guest to get the answers that they need. My goal for this call series is to provide crucial information on topics facing organic and transition-curious farmers, in an approachable conversation that listeners can easily listen to during their lunch hour.”
“With experts from university and industry, tune into this episode to hear what you need to know about biologicals in organic row crops”
This series is brought to you by Albert Lea Seed House.
Albert Lea is a fourth-generation, family-owned, independent farm seed company with a full line of organic and non-gmo field crop seed, and knowledgeable reps.