Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Abbey Wick
Managing nitrogen to promote quality and profitability of North Dakota two‐row malting barley
EONR economic optimum nitrogen rate TKAN total known available nitrogen 1 INTRODUCTION The Northern Great Plains region—specifically North Dakota, Montana, and southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan—are large producers of barley. Historically, the barley cultivars in this region destined for the malting industry were six-row types; however, very recently, malting companies began to contract only two-row barley cultivars, leading to a shift in production.
Oil spill soil remediation using thermal desorption: Project synthesis and outcomes
PHC petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations SOC soil organic carbon TD thermal desorption TPH total petroleum hydrocarbons 1 INTRODUCTION Land use in western North Dakota, part of the Williston Basin, has traditionally been dominated by agricultural production, but between January 2005 and January 2020 oil production in the area increased from 0.48 to 7.5 million m3 month−1 (ND DMR, 2022).
Salinity is still a problem
Columns Abbey Wick and Tom DeSutter address managing salinity in fields. Written By: Abbey Wick | 5:30 am, May 8, 2021 With the dry conditions, I’ve been getting a lot of texts and calls about managing salinity and why are the spots getting bigger?
Running quality control on information on soil health and more
Columns It can be difficult to determine credible information from non-sense. If you’re going to be applying these practices to your farm and/or business, you need to have confidence in the information you are receiving. Written By: Abbey Wick | 5:30 am, Mar. 14, 2021 There has been so much information shared this past year — especially virtually. It can be difficult to determine credible information from non-sense.
The next step for cover crops
Columns Abbey Wick and Marisol Berti offer some tips on what to consider after you've begun using cover crops Written By: Abbey Wick | Feb 14th 2021 - 5am. We have a clear starting point for incorporating cover crops into a farm operation — that’s after a small grain crop. We also have a top recommendation for a cover crop to get started with using this practice in a rotation — that’s cereal rye. But, what’s next? I get asked that question often and went to Marisol Berti for some ideas.
Things to think about when considering reduced tillage
Columns When you do find a farmer using reduced tillage, ask them about how it’s working and pick their brain. Build a relationship. Don’t try to repeat what they are doing, but learn from it. Written By: Abbey Wick | Jan 9th 2021 - 5am. There has been a lot of interest in how to transition to a reduced till system.
How do you know if soil health measures are working?
Columns Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension soil health specialist, and Caley Gasch, NDSU assistant professor of soil health, point out four ways to tell if soil health measures are working on your farm or ranch. Written By: Abbey Wick | Dec 19th 2020 - 5am. I often get asked the question, how do I know soil health practices are working? What should I look for in my fields?
Is there disease risk when using cover crops?
Columns There is no one-size-fits-all answer about whether disease in cover crops can infect field crops. Written By: Abbey Wick | Nov 8th 2020 - 5am. What is the disease risk if I use cover crops on my farm? This has become a popular question over the past couple of growing seasons.
Stocking cover crops to enhance soil health
Columns “How many cattle should I put on my cover crops and how long should they graze?” We went right to North Dakota State University's Miranda Meehan to get an answer and here’s what she said. Written By: Abbey Wick | Oct 11th 2020 - 7am. × North Dakota State University is researching the effects of stock density on soil health. (NDSU Extension photo) Soil Health Minute is embarking on a new format that will incorporate a variety of experts in answering reader questions about soil health.
Soil Health Minute answers YOUR questions
Columns Starting this week, the Soil Health Minute will start getting a variety of experts to answer your questions about soil health issues. Written By: Abbey Wick | Oct 7th 2020 - 5am. × Abbey Wick We’re trying a new approach for the Soil Health Minute — we’ll be asking more experts to answer your questions.
What I've learned this week in soil health
As an associate professor and also Extension specialist, I have an incredibly interesting position where I’m connected to the research happening at North Dakota State University and also to the practices being tried and adopted across the state of North Dakota. I joke around with people that on any given day (except those where I’m doing paperwork), that a majority of people interested in soil health or agriculture in general would love to have my career.
Managing a full-season cover crop
Many farmers planted a full season cover crop on their prevented planting acres or are out there now planting a winter annual, like cereal rye. This is a great management approach because you’ve either managed water in those fields similar to what you would have done with a cash crop or you will be managing water next spring with cereal rye planted this fall. Your field is better prepared for 2021 than if you didn’t seed a cover crop on your prevented planting in 2020.
Interseeding cover crops in sugar beets
Using spring seeded cover crops in sugar beets is a familiar practice for farmers, but many are asking about other ways to use cover crops in their system to accomplish different goals other than protecting sugar beet seedlings. Some are flying on a cover crop like cereal rye or barley prior to topping the beets, seeding smaller pre-harvest areas to help reduce erosion or seeding cereal rye post-harvest if time allows. There has been mixed success.
Have an escape plan with cover crops
During an on-line Café Talk this week, we talked about ideas for cover crops both after small grains and on prevented planting fields. It was a great discussion, with a piece of advice, from both a grower and also a consultant, that came across clearly. It was to “have an escape plan.” It seems we are getting more used to having multiple plans these days, but an escape plan … that’s interesting. In general, planning is a good thing.
Some considerations for cover crops after small grains
With small grain harvest coming, it’s a good time to make a cover crop plan and get your ducks in a row for making it happen. The best time to seed a cover crop after small grain harvest is to chase the combine with the drill. The earlier you plant your cover crop, the more biomass and overall benefits to the soil you’ll get. This means that deciding what your goal is, what your next crop will be and getting the seed ordered is key to getting this done. A couple tips for determining your goal.
Options for haying and grazing on prevented planting
Columns If you want to hay or graze prevented planting acres after Nov. 1, there are a few things to keep in mind. Written By: Abbey Wick | Jul 19th 2020 - 7am. × Cover crops can provide grazing and haying options, but make sure you know what you can and can't do when planting cover crops on prevented planting acreage. (NDSU photo) There is a lot of interest in haying or grazing a cover crop planted on prevented planting acres.
Managing weeds before cover crops
Columns As farmers get back to considering the acres they didn't get planted this year, there are some things to take into consideration on how to manage weeds and rebuild soil structure. Written By: Abbey Wick | Jul 5th 2020 - 7am. × Weed pressures that need to be managed in a prevented planting field.
Trials in wide-row corn with cover crops
Columns This year, several farmers are trying this approach in our area. North Dakota State University will also be conducting studies on wide-row corn with cover crops seeded between rows. Written By: Abbey Wick | Jun 21st 2020 - 7am. × Cover crops interseeded into 60” corn at the Oakes Demonstration Site (Kelly Cooper, North Dakota State University) If you’re on Twitter, you’ve likely seen a lot of buzz around wide-row corn (44-inch or 60-inch) with cover crops seeded between rows.
Cover crop ideas for prevented planting ground
We’ve been having online Café Talks about prevented planting and use of cover crops, and I’ve been posting some “tips” on Twitter to help with making decisions on cover crop mixes. I thought I’d share that information here. First, we’ve had great turnout at the online Café Talks which happen Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. through the end of June. Everyone from farmers, consultants, seed companies and outreach organizations have joined the calls.
Make plans for prevented planting ground
Columns It's critical to get something in the ground, even when a cash crop isn't possible. Written By: Abbey Wick | May 24th 2020 - 7am. × There are strategies that can help make prevented planting ground healthier, like planting cover crops to use some moisture. (Michelle Rook / Agweek) It’s tough to think about prevented planting, but coming up with a plan for those fields now is critical for following through with effective management.
Reminders for managing salts in soils this spring
Farmers have been sending me photos and calling about saline areas — which makes sense: The soil profiles were mostly full of water this fall, and as the soils are drying out at the surface this spring, the salts are being pulled up to the surface and sticking around after the water carrying them evaporates. A couple reminders for management this spring for salt-affected areas: First, do some surface ditching if the soil conditions are right (not saturated) and you have time.
Consider cover crops in soybeans for iron deficiency chlorosis
Iron deficiency chlorosis in soybeans is an issue addressed in the North Dakota State University Soybean Soil Fertility circular (SF1164) revised in November 2019. First, if you haven’t checked out this revised circular, please do. You can find it by Googling “Dave Franzen NDSU” and then clicking on the “Extension Publications and Programs” link about half-way down the page. Next, the circular addresses the use of cover crops with soybean at time of planting to reduce the severity of IDC.
New NDSU research on soil biological function
There’s an interesting study starting the Summer 2020, focused on biological function in agricultural systems in North Dakota.
Gaining perspective through the pandemic
When I think of the challenges we faced as an agricultural community in 2019 and now what we are facing as a global community in 2020, I can’t help but think about perspective. We are facing real challenges, ones that will impact people’s lives forever, and I definitely don’t want to discount stresses, simplify what’s happening or say that I have solutions. These are tough times that naturally encourage isolation and internalization as a mechanism to protect those we care about around us.
Can every soil be no-tilled?
I had a conversation about soil health in an unlikely place … where I wasn’t expecting to be saying the words “cover crop” or “no-till” or “grazing.” The conversation took place with someone who is not involved with agriculture for their career now, although they did grow up on a dairy farm and have a brother-in-law who farms and uses soil health practices.
Finding your plan for fields in 2020
Lee Briese, an independent crop consultant with Centrol, helped Abbey Wick come up with tips to help farmers deal with unique conditions in 2020 after a difficult 2019 growing season. ( Abbey Wick / NDSU ) Lee Briese, independent crop consultant with Centrol, and I have been talking a lot about helping farmers through a stressful time when everyone is overwhelmed. It’s tough to think about planning when most plans in 2019 changed multiple times.
New episodes of Soil Sense Podcast coming
With over 13,000 plays of the first series of the Soil Sense Podcast, we’ve recorded a second series — releasing one per week for 15 weeks starting March 2. This podcast, hosted by Tim Hammerich, highlights how building healthier soils is not just a prescription, but rather a pursuit. A journey requiring collaboration, curiosity, and communication among farmers, agricultural researchers, agronomists, consultants and Extension.
Finding your plan for fields in 2020
Lee Briese, an independent crop consultant with Centrol, helped Abbey Wick come up with tips to help farmers deal with unique conditions in 2020 after a difficult 2019 growing season. (Abbey Wick / NDSU) By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. Lee Briese, independent crop consultant with Centrol, and I have been talking a lot about helping farmers through a stressful time when everyone is overwhelmed.
Cafe Talk discussions prompt thinking ahead
Flying in cover crops like radishes might be one way to help deal with standing corn this spring. (Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension) By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Feb 2, 2020 at 5:06 p.m. We’ve had a couple weeks of Cafe Talks and there are more topics that really stand out that I want to bring to the larger group of Agweek readers. I think these ideas will help you prepare for this spring. First, managing spring harvest of the 2019 corn that is still standing.
Network‐based approaches for soil health research and extension programming in North Dakota, USA
Abstract Farmer adoption of practices to build soil health can be enhanced using a knowledge network supported by programs and resources that incorporate technical, social and experiential learning pathways. University Extension plays a critical role in building and supporting the knowledge network by serving as (a) a boundary organization to create space for conversations to occur, (b) network manager to facilitate learning and (c) builder of social capital to encourage trust in the network.
Takeaways from the first Café Talk of 2020
By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. There was great discussion at the first Café Talk of 2020 in Drayton, N.D. Joe Ikley (Extension weed specialist), Brad Brummond (Walsh County Extension) and I were there with the meeting coordinated by Kari Helgoe (Extension agent for Pembina County). There were several farmers who are already in reduced till systems and using cover crops and also those who are just getting started.
Looking forward to soil health in 2020
A plot tour from cover crop research plots on North Dakota State University's main campus in Fargo, N.D. (Abbey Wick, Special to Agweek) By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Jan 5, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. To welcome 2020, here's a list of the top 20 North Dakota State University Extension soil health programs and research projects that will be continued or initiated this year.
Take the time to sharpen your ax
One way to sharpen your ax is to to learn more at meetings like this one, the DIRT Workshop Dec. 9-11, in Fargo. (Abbey Wick, Special to Agweek) By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health on Dec 22, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. A good friend told me to "sharpen my ax" the other day. Now before go you and think that I'm crazy, I want to share the story she told me and put it in the context of soil health.
Soil Health Cafe Talks scheduled for 2020
There's a new approach to the Soil Health Café Talk program in 2020. Don't worry, it will be the same style of meeting to encourage idea sharing amongst farmers, consultants, Extension, researchers and industry, but it will now reach more locations across North Dakota with more events. We're making this happen by hosting several of the Café Talks through the Carrington and Langdon Research Extension Centers and the county Extension agents.
Thankful for soil health camaraderie and legacy
Abbey Wick says her son and other children are among the things for which she is thankful. (Abbey Wick, Special to Agweek) By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. There is so much, despite the challenges we face, that we can be thankful for in the world of agriculture and also soil health. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but here are a few things that are top on my "thankful list" mostly centered on camaraderie and legacy.
Soil Health Minute: Key points to drive home
By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Oct 27, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. One of North Dakota's own experts in soil health and independent crop consultant, Lee Briese is the keynote presenter at the Dakota Innovation Research and Technology (DIRT) Workshop in Fargo, Dec. 9-11. There are some key points that he will be making, which I am really excited about, so I'll give you a sneak peek.
Soil Health Minute: Benefits of connecting about soil health
By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. I recently joined up with an afternoon field tour — one that was coordinated by farmers and ranchers who are trying soil health practices and had some neighboring farmers who wanted to check out what they are doing. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, it was a last minute deal, but it ended up being an afternoon that will stick with me for a long time.
Soil Health Minute: Cover crops with sunflower
Cover crops growing with a sunflower crop. (Abbey Wick/Special to Agweek) By Abbey Wick and Caley Gasch on Aug 20, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. Farmers are working on fitting cover crops into every phase of their rotation to achieve multiple goals. One practice, which is of interest but is not well evaluated, is growing cover crops along with sunflower.
Soil Health Minute: A new workshop comin' to town
By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Sep 29, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. In case you haven't heard, there's a new workshop focused on soil health coming to the region. The Dakota Innovation Research and Technology Workshop, or DIRT Workshop for short, will be Dec. 9-11 at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo, N.D. I want to explain a little history of the event before I go into the highlights.
Soil Health Minute: Late, late season cover crops
By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Sep 15, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. After small grains, we typically try to get our cover crop mixes seeded by August 15. That date has blown by us and it is now mid-September with some wheat still being harvested. This late harvest has made it very difficult to get a cover crop seeded, among many other challenges in 2019. Seeding diverse mixes that include radish, turnip etc.
Soil Health Minute: Strive for progress not perfection
By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Sep 1, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. I've had a lot of conversations in the past couple months with farmers interested in, just getting into soil health building practices or those who have been using them a long time where the phrase, "I didn't want to do XYZ, but I made the decision and moved on." This is often in the context of using a shallow tillage pass to get the crop in, not seeding cover crops because of a late season, baling straw because...
Soil Health Minute: Nitrogen release (or not) with cover cro...
By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Aug 18, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. There's this idea floating around that cover crops will take up nitrogen this growing season and then release that nitrogen for next year's crop. Add on top of that, an ability to anticipate when that nitrogen will be released by selecting specific cover crops in a mix (this is the C:N ratio stuff you hear about). But, we have to ask, do we have data showing that for our region?
Soil Health Minute: Soil Sense podcast released this week
By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. Building healthier soils is not just about a prescription, rather a pursuit. This is the motto of the new podcast, Soil Sense, released this week.
Soil Health Minute: Soil health progress in the Northern Plains
Cover crops in a corn field. File photo By Abbey Wick / NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. The first season of the Agweek Soil Health Minute, sponsored by the North Dakota Corn Council and North Dakota Soybean Council, aired on April 16, 2017. We are now in our third season of a partnership that has resulted in 25 television segments and 56 magazine column articles sharing how North Dakota State University research intertwines with on-farm application of practices.
Soil Health Minute: A twist to cover crops on prevented planting fields
Millet is a good cover crop choice for prevented planting acres to provide forage. (Christopher Boucher, Pixabay) By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. It never fails that once a plan comes together that there's a new twist. After a few weeks of talking about cover crop options on prevented planting acres that could not be hayed or grazed until Nov. 1, the date changed to Sept. 1. This change in date is excellent news and certainly opens up more options for farmers.
Soil Health Minute: "Why, what and trust your gut" with cover crops
By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. We've been having Café Talks on cover crops for prevented planting and it's led to some excellent discussions. Talking through ideas has really helped solidify approaches, so I'll share some of those ideas. This article is going to be framed in the context of "why" we even want to do this, "what" we can do and how you just need to "trust your gut" and get it done. Why are we seeding cover crops on PP?
Soil Health Minute: Cover crops for prevented planting café talks scheduled
Cafe Talk in McVille, N.D., draws a diverse crowd of grain farmers and ranchers interested in soil health. (Trevor Peterson/AgweekTV) By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist Today at 7:30 a.m. In response to the anticipated prevented planting in various parts of North Dakota, we are planning a series of Café Talks on cover crops in prevented planting situations.
A Creative Twist on Traditional Strip-Till
Ashort growing season in the Northern Plains means farmers are getting creative in their use of soil health building practices like conservation tillage and/or cover crops. A primary concern of farmers when converting to a reduced tillage system is that having residue on the soil surface could result in fields being slower to warm and dry in the spring.
Giving thanks for soil health
A farmer evaluates his changing soil and following a radish root channel. (Abbey Wick/Special to Agweek) By Abbey Wick, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist on Nov 19, 2017 at 3:37 p.m. Throughout the year, I hear from farmers about the benefits they see when using a soil health building system that includes cover crops and reduced tillage — things they are thankful for as they reflect on the hard work invested in building up their soils and re-evaluating approaches to fit their on-farm goals.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Abbey
Contact Abbey, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack