A conversation with Dr. Anna Cates, Extension Soil Health Specialist

In this edition of Minnesota CropCast (Episode #56), hosts Dave Nicolai and Seth Naeve sit down with Dr. Anna Cates, the University of Minnesota Extension Soil Health Specialist. The group discusses Dr. Cates' unique role and the current state of cover crops and soil health across Minnesota.

Dr. Cates leads the MN Office for Soil Health (MOSH), which is dedicated to improving soil health by working with farmers and conservation professionals. Born on a Wisconsin farm and educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (PhD in Agronomy, MS in Soil Science and Agroecology), she now works to turn research into on-the-ground conservation.

The episode explores the partnership between MOSH and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), highlighting how they collaborate to provide funding, policy implementation, and technical guidance to local partners like Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).

Tune in to hear discussions on:

• Farmer adoption of conservation practices and cover crops.
• An upcoming intensive educational opportunity: The Cover Crop Academy.

Please join us for another lively and informative MN CropCast.

In the latest University of Minnesota CropCast (#55), hosts Seth Naeve and Dave Nicolai interview Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Extension Small Grain Specialist, about the current status and future of small grain acreage in Minnesota. Jochum reviews how production economics, market potential, and weather trends are impacting acreage for spring and winter wheat, barley, rye, and oats.

The discussion also previews the spring release of the updated University of Minnesota Small Grains Guide, a key resource for selecting varieties and refining production practices. Additionally, Jochum explores the potential for oat production in southern Minnesota.

Finally, the episode covers the 2026 Small Grains Update educational seminars. Sponsored by the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, these free, discussion-based workshops cover agronomics, variety selection, soil fertility, and economics.

Register for a seminar near you at z.umn.edu/smallgrainsupdate:

· Feb 16: Grand Rapids (NCROC)

· Feb 17: Cold Spring (Great Blue Heron)

· Feb 18: Le Center (4H Family Center) & Rochester (Aune Hall)

· Feb 19: Slayton (Murray County 4H-Building)

· Feb 20: Benson (McKinney's on Southside)

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.