2006 Winter Conference Schedule
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The World’s most advanced No-till researchers and organizations contend that continuous No-till progresses through four stages:  (Adapted from João Carlos Moraes Sá, 2003)

It is our belief that if you equip yourself with a thorough understanding of the best agronomic practices that are availed to you and if you comprehend scientifically the principals of water infiltration into the soil, including its structure, properties and chemistry of which it is comprised, including the incredible amount of biological and microbial activity -- then you will arrive at the realization that continuous No-tillage is the best method to achieve high-yield, sustainable agriculture.  Armed with the best knowledge, long-term vision and a keen awareness of the need for continued education, producers should be prepared to successfully endure.  With this knowledge we shall remain stalwart in our vision and promise to you: No-till for Life!

Stage One:  Initialization (0-5 years) this level is the basic, primary, or fundamental stage wherein the beginning processes start their transformation from low soil organic matter and low residues to begin regenerating soil structure and an increase in microbial activity.  This stage requires additional nitrogen.

Stage Two:  Transition (6-10 years) represents a shift, passage or transformation into the next level of No-till.  Soil organic matter accumulation and residue increases, greater soil aggregation and increased soil microbial activity is occurring, also experienced are nitrogen immobilization and greater mineralization and phosphorus accumulation.

Stage Three:   Consolidation (11-20 years) a strengthening, solidification and/or fortification featuring increased carbon accumulation, residues and additional available water in the soil.  This is accompanied by nitrogen mineralization and greater immobilization with an increase in cation exchange capacity and greater nutrient cycling.

Stage Four:  Maintenance (+20 years) sustaining, continuance, upholding or preservation best describes this final stage wherein a continuous flow of nitrogen and carbon and high residues are common.  Greater available water in the soil and high nutrient cycling with increased nitrogen and phosphorus attainability are achieved. 

Monday, January 30th

Session Stages Speaker Topic Location
1:00 - 1:10 All Keith Thompson Greetings from the President of No-till on the Plains Arena
1:10 - 2:00 All Al Davis Opening Keynote Arena
       
Session Stages Speaker Topic Location
  2 - 3 Brown / Fuhrer Integrating Livestock in a No-till Cropping System NW HH
Transition # 1 2 - 3 Dirceu Gassen Pests Management under No-till NE HH
  All David Lobb Turning Soil Erosion & Soil Conservation Upside Down SW HH
Monday All Ray Ward "Myths vs. Reality"  Interactive Q&A #1 Arena
30-Jan All Chuck Rice How Does the Soil Store Carbon & What Does it Mean… 201
2:10 - 3:00 2 - 3 Dan Forgey Farming for the Future 200 - 202
  2 - 3 Gary Maskus Breaking Neighborhood Rules 203
         
Break     Trade Show and Snack Time - Concourse / Arena  
3:00 - 4:00 All Bud Davis Rainfall Simulator / Soil Demonstrations SE HH 
       
Session Stages Speaker Topic Location
  1 - 2 Paul Jasa Using Management & Experience to Overcome Myths NW HH
Transition # 2 3 - 4 Ross Welch Harvesting Health-Enhancing the Nutritional Quality….. NE HH
  All Alan States Thinking Outside the Box, Who Took the Box? SW HH
Monday All Pat Richardson Soil meso-fauna - why feed your soil if there's… Arena
30-Jan All Gary James Drift Control & Nozzle Selection 201
4:00 - 4:50 2 - 3 - 4 Ademir Calegari Soil and Crops Improvement w/Cover Crops & Rotations 200 - 202
  1 Norm Klocke Water Conservation from Crop Residue…in Irrigation 203
       
Session Stages Speaker Topic Location
  1 - 2 Gyles Randall Realities & Myths of No-till in the Northern Corn Belt NW HH
Transition # 3 1 - 2 - 3 Ray Ward Determining Efficient Fertilizer Application Rates NE HH
  1 Mike Hubbs No-till Effects on Soil Quality SW HH
Monday All Dick Richardson Managing When You Expect the Unexpected… Arena
30-Jan All Alan Seaman Farming for Profit….Do you Know How? 201
5:00 - 5:50 1 - 2 Don Reicosky Tillage "Myths" vs. Carbon Reality 200 - 202
  1 - 2 Producer Panel Mythbusters: An Interactive Discussion for Stages 1 & 2 203
       
6:00 - 7:00 All :)   Beer & Bull - Concourse / Arena  

Tuesday, January 31st

Session Stages Speaker Topic Location
8:30 - 9:20 All Harry K Jones Productive Chaos: Dealing with Change in the Marketplace  Arena
       
  1 - 2 Paul Jasa Using Management & Experience to Overcome Myths NW HH
Transition # 4 1 - 2 - 3 Ray Ward Determining Efficient Fertilizer Application Rates NE HH
  All Harry K. Jones Productive Chaos: Dealing with Change…Part #2  SW HH
Tuesday 2 - 3 Dan Forgey Farming for the Future Arena
31-Jan All Alan Seaman Farming for Profit….Do you Know How? 201
9:30 - 10:20 2 - 3 - 4 Ademir Calegari Soil and Crops Improvement w/Cover Crops & Rotations 200 - 202
  All David Lobb Turning Soil Erosion & Soil Conservation Upside Down 203
       
10:20 - 11:00     Break / Trade Show - Concourse / Arena  
  All Bud Davis Rainfall Simulator / Soil Demonstrations SE HH