Clint Brauer had a problem. Marestail and pigweed were wreaking havoc on his soybean fields. The third generation farmer employs organic and regenerative practices on his Kansas farm and realized there was no way to stay ahead of weeds on broadacre crops without relying on chemicals.
"My goal has always been to get chemicals out of farming," Brauer says. "I also knew I couldn't simply say I wanted to get rid of chemicals without defining how I could achieve that."
Then he had a crazy thought: What would happen if he cut the weeds using a mower? "It seemed like a stupid idea that would never work," Brauer says. "So, I reached out to a friend as well as our crop consultant at the time. Frankly, neither knew what would happen." Rather than discard his idea, Brauer decided to test the concept on his fields. For two summers, he used knives and rotary mowers on weeds, cutting at different heights.
This story is from the Mid-November 2023 edition of Successful Farming.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Mid-November 2023 edition of Successful Farming.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY MAKES THE WORKPLACE SAFER
From simple gadgets, like smartwatches, to systems that monitor employee health, tech is a valuable safety tool.
INVESTED IN COMMUNITY
Aaron LaPointe is honoring his elders and bringing hope to the youth of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
ROLL-AROUND SHOP SUPPORT
cool tools for Farming
MANAGING BACTERIAL DISEASES
Accurate diagnosis is the first step in a control strategy.
GROWING 200-BUSHEL SOYBEANS
World record holder Alex Harrell shares tips on taking soybean yields to the next level.
TRANSFER THE FARM NOW OR LATER?
Problem: Is it better to start transferring the daily operation to the farm heir or focus on the farm estate plan first?
Pork Powerhouses 2023
THE 36 LARGEST U.S. PIG PRODUCERS REDUCED SOWS BY 17,348 IN 2023, THE FIRST NET LOSS PORK POWERHOUSES® REPORTED SINCE 2010.
DISEASE SCOUTING IN THE DIGITAL ERA
Digital platforms offer new approaches to identify diseases and time fungicide applications to save time and protect yield.
SHIPPING STRUGGLES
The Mississippi River may present challenges again in 2024.
SPRAYER PRICING, AVAILABILITY BACK TO NORMAL
Upgrade options improve older equipment's appeal.