Ag Solutions Network

04/24/2026

At Ag Solutions Network, we see soil health not as a trend, but as infrastructure: what keeps water, nutrients, and inputs working for you instead of leaving your field.

Monte Bottens says… “If we saw tankers spilling into a river, we’d take action. Runoff is considered normal and that there’s nothing we can do about it. The reality is, we as farmers are over applying nitrogen to crops, which results in loss and pollution to streams.”

https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/15222-photo-of-the-week-addressing-major-runoff-problems
No-Till Farmer

Our Photos of the Week come to us from no-tiller Monte Bottens in Cambridge, Ill. He asked ChatGPT to create a photo with 52 semi-trailers dumping anhydrous ammonia into the river.

04/23/2026

Which legume do you consider the cover crop champion? Tune into AgEmerge Podcast 186 with Lisa Kissing Kucek of the Cover Crop Breeding Network and Monte Bottens talking all things seed traits, variety decisions, decades-long research trials, and how high-performing cover crops are transforming soil health and productivity.
https://youtube.com/shorts/WygTcCC_n4Y

04/22/2026

Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, founder of Ecdysis Foundation, is a trusted source for the AgEmerge Podcast and past event speaker. Join him for "Neonic Effects on Wildlife". This conversation will dig into the science behind how neonics move through ecosystems and what that means for wildlife. - Friday, April 24 ⏰ 1:00 PM CST

If you want a clearer picture of what’s happening beyond the seed treatment, this is worth your time. Ecdysis Foundation has partnered on research examining the effects of neonicotinoids (neonics) on wildlife. This includes studies like “Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Physiology and Re...

04/20/2026

A few surprises to note in this long-term study from proven cover crop improvements to no-till challenges.

Farmers have long debated which practices do the most to keep their soil healthy. Now, after pulling data from 21 long-term field trials scattered across the United States, a multi-state research team has found cover crop use comes on top.

04/16/2026

Water quality matters. Learn how Ty Brown puts reverse osmosis water to work for maximum foliar nutrition uptake.

Ty is the founder and owner of Drago Indiana, where his team uses innovative practices like cover crop breeding, drone technology, and water quality management to enhance sustainability, crop yields, and farm productivity. Hold on tight—this isn’t just about incremental improvements; it’s about transforming your entire farming operation for the better, one innovative step at a time.

RO on the farm:

Water quality matters. Learn how Ty Brown puts RO water to work for maximum foliar nutrition uptake.Discover how Ty Brown, founder and owner of Drago Indiana...

04/13/2026

We talk a lot about cover crops — and for good reason. But are they a good fit for your operation? Which species make the most sense? And is it too late to plant this spring?

Take a few minutes with this easy-to-use Midwest Cover Crops Council tool to see which cover crops can work with your current rotation, planting dates, and harvest plans:
https://covercroptool.midwestcovercrops.org/

For example, growers looking for fast biomass and strong w**d suppression this spring often have great success with spring oats. Whether you’re just getting started or building on what you’ve already done, adding cover crops can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and set your fields up for a more productive season.

Timing, species selection, and management all vary by state, soil type, and weather. Try something different and if you need support, let us connect you with our dealers across the country.

04/09/2026

Sounds like a tall order, but for our POWER2GRO Crop Nutrition system sets crops up for success from planting to harvest.

04/07/2026

Discover how Ty Brown, founder and owner of Drago Indiana, uses incremental improvements to transform farming operations for the better, one practical step at a time. Watch or listen to AgEmerge Podcast 185, hosted by Monte Bottens.

Discover how Ty Brown, founder and owner of Drago Indiana, uses innovative practices like cover crop breeding, drone technology, and water quality management...

04/03/2026

Soil Health | California Style

Agronomist Bradley Abraham California Ag Solutions pulled a few plants out of a recycled almond block today and this is what you want to see.

These roots are pushing through old wood chip layers, breaking them down, and helping turn tied-up carbon back into usable nutrition. At the same time they’re opening the soil, improving infiltration, and feeding biology.

Instead of letting ground sit after a pull, this is how you rebuild it going into replant.

Better structure
Better water movement
More available nutrition
More life in the soil

04/01/2026

When an executive order declared glyphosate essential for national security, it sparked a heated debate from both sides — from advocates claiming it’s vital to defense and food security, to critics warning of its potential dangers. But what’s the backstory behind this widely-used chemical?

AgEmerge Podcast 184 with Dr. Michael McNeill and Bottens dive into a discussion about glyphosate and its impacts.

When an executive order declared glyphosate essential for national security, it sparked a heated debate from both sides — from advocates claiming it’s vital ...

03/31/2026

Stay tuned for a future AgEmerge Podcast with Natalie Sturm as she takes Dakota Lakes Research Farm into its next chapter. Congratulations Dr. Sturm!

BROOKINGS, S.D. — March 27, 2026 — Natalie Sturm first learned about the Dakota Lakes Research Farm...

03/24/2026

The Saga of the Soggy Sauerkraut | Tune in to AgEmerge Podcast 184 as Dr. Michael McNeill explains the journey of glyphosate through the farm system: how it lingers in manure from treated feed and a company crisis that lead to an interesting discovery.

Dr. Michael McNeill explains the journey of glyphosate through the farm system: how it lingers in manure from treated feed, carries over to contaminate even ...