Doug Toussaint from Wahpeton, North Dakota discusses his shift toward soil health building practices. Doug shares what inspired him to make these changes and the decision to start with his most difficult field. Doug was able to slowly integrate these new techniques including inter-seeding and reduced tillage by using equipment that he already had on hand. He has noticed a significant difference in his fields with “how different they worked (and) how much easier they were to plant.”
Doug shares that going to seminars, talking to other farmers and reaching out to consultants and the extension have all helped him find the answers and learn about new practices. He emphasizes the importance of networking with neighboring farmers and helping to foster the discussion about reduced tillage and cover crops.
“Cover crops is not where to quit spending money….I’d rather have a cover crop that failed than a cover crop that I didn’t do.” -Doug Toussaint
“There isn’t a recipe here. You’re going to put your own recipe together and how its going to work. You just have to be open-minded and look at different things and be willing to change immediately.” - Doug Toussaint
This Week on Soil Sense:
● Hear from Doug Toussaint a Farmer in North Dakota
● Learn what inspired him to experiment with new farming techniques
● Meet the difficult field he started with and why he started there
● Explore some of the benefits Doug has experienced by adding cover crops to his rotation
● Doug shares what resources he reaches for to help answer his questions as they arise
Connect with Soil Sense:
● Soil Sense Initiative
Soil Sense Podcast is hosted by Tim Hammerich of the Future of Agriculture Podcast.