Research Partners
Orthman Manufacturing, Inc.
The 'Step-to-the Front' Leader in Strip-Till technology initiated a research farm on the Bill Orthman family farm the winter of 2006-2007. In 2011 on the 130+ acre farm numerous precision studies will demonstrate the effectiveness of strip-tillage with several seed companies, Kugler Fertilizer of McCook, NE, Agrotain International, FB Sciences supplier of Carbon Boost-S. Comparison studies of Strip-Till versus direct seeding with selected advanced 'stacked' hybrids will be studied for rootzone comparisons, corn physiological differences, yield and economics. We will be employing the new narrow transport 8row planter toolbar with John Deere row units for 2011 and use of "Row Command". We will move our soybean plots this coming season, keep following along for the outcome. Our hope is in late July 2011 the Orthman Sales & Marketing group are having a field day and open house for folks to be part of what is happening in the Platte Valley and Orthman research. Click on View Projects to see what is happening in Nebraska and elsewhere!!
Irrigation Research Foundation
The IRF is a not-for-profit enterprise established to conduct research that has reference for and to the diminishing Ogallala Aquifer of the High Plains. The farm conducts research to provide options and Best Management Practices (BMP's) to utilize the water and soil resources wisely, maintain longevity to the Aquifer and help communities across the High Plains states sustain a livelihood for all who live there.
MONSANTO/Dekalb-Asgrow Seeds
Monsanto's focus as an agricultural company is on the farmer. We've built our business by offering farmers new choices that make them more productive and profitable. Today, our strategy is focused on our seeds and traits business. We currently invest almost $1.5 million a day to look for and bring to market the innovative technologies that our customers tell us make a difference. Our first products with biotechnology input traits - like Roundup Ready, Bollgard and YieldGard - have proved their worth in the field for almost a decade. Monsanto's technology has set the standard. It is a leadership position Monsanto has earned. Driven by the success of our products and technology in the field, our seeds and traits business has prospered. Our initial success sets the stage for our growth and for the next generation of innovation. Dekalb-Asgrow Seed companies of Monsanto are working as a team with Orthman Manufacturing right on the Orthman Farm near Lexington. Orthman is teaming up with the specialists at the Gothenburg, Nebraska Monsanto Learning Center to provide strip-till in designated plots. Orthman has teamed with the Monsanto Team who work at the Irrigation Research Foundation facility near Yuma, Colorado since 2000 and continue to work side-by-side this year in 2010. Please press VIEW PROJECTS button to see what we are joining with Orthman in.
Hoegemeyer Hybrids
Seed expertise doesn’t grow overnight, which is why farmers in the Western Corn Belt rely on Hoegemeyer Hybrids to provide the right seed for this area. We’ve lived in this region and studied its tough growing conditions for four generations, and we know what thrives here in Corn Country. We are joining hands with Orthman to determine more of how Hoegemeyer Hybrids respond to the soil conditions with Strip-Tillage and what happens to rooting habits. We think to know what this "below ground" look does will enhance our knowledge as a Seed company.
UC-Davis Kearney/Five Points Experimental Station
At the Experiment Station near Five Points in the San Joaquin Valley of California, Dr. Jeff Mitchell is conducting cooperative field research with Orthmanj in strip-till row crop research in cotton, corn for silage or grain with different irrigation management schemes. His outreach is touching growers to see the benefits agronomically, time management and the economics of a strip-till system. The UC Kearney Research and Extension Center (KREC) has advanced understanding of every aspect of production and environmental management related to the valley's bounty of fruits, vegetables and field crops. It is no coincidence that Kearney is located in what has become the state's number-one agricultural county, on land that is some of the most productive in the world. With 24 resident faculty conducting basic as well as field research, the center is like a mini-campus, with 33 specialized research laboratories and 100 laboratory staff members. It also serves more than 100 off-station scientists from three UC campuses and Cooperative Extension offices. Not surprisingly, it is the most utilized off-campus agricultural research facility in the UC system.
Stiles Farm & Texas A&M Research Center - Thrall, Texas
The not-for-profit Stiles Farm, part of the Texas A&M Extension Service Outreach Centers of Education of Texas growers will be studying tillage systems and their potential improvements for Blackland agriculture. This 2800 acre research facility has numerous studies to further the Texas grower's learning and application of new technologies. The project started in 2007 to the public. Scientists are studying tillage and its impacts to soil characteristics and soil quality over a four year period, now in 2010 we examine soils for the final year. The data so far shows that residue in these heavy soils with hot summer soil temperatures has a great deal of influence on how soil condition, erosion protection and productivity improves.
All Points Cooperative - Lexington, NE
The Platte Valley cooperative serves parts of the Central Platte River Valley with seed products, fertility, weed control, soil sampling and agronomic scouting services. The group has joined hands in providing fertilizer products on the Orthman Research Farm again for 2009. Precision placement of a pre-plant fertilizer mix has special significance with Orthman Mfg and the trials across the entire farm. Come and see what is happening.
Oklahoma State Panhandle Experiment Center
The Department of Plant & Soil Sciences with support from Oklahoma Cooperatve Extension and Oklahoma State University, Rick Kochenower and staff at the the Goodwell Center are carrying out research in forage production, weed control, winter wheat variety development, no-till vs. minimum till crop rotations, four different times of running strip-till prior to grain sorghum, strip-till in rain-fed crop rotations, and impacts of variety in cotton production to name a few projects. Image: View from 8 miles high of OPREC
Kugler Company
Over the years, we've manufactured quality liquid fertilizers to help growers maximize their crop yields. Kugler Company is not just another corporate fertilizer manufacturer. Rural America is our home. We're family-owned and operated. We're your friends, neighbors and a strong network of people who know fertility. We're dedicated to your success and your community and that commitment leads us to develop the finest liquid fertilizers available.
Trimble and Orthman Study RTK Placement
Both at the Orthman Research Farm and the Irrigation Research Foundation in Colorado, Trimble and Orthman are using GPS guidance at its best resolution to study accuracy in Precision Tillage. Studies in 2006, 2007 & 2008 have yielded great information and more proof that accuracy pays the grower to farm with this systems appraoch. Come see at either location the ramifications of Precision Farming.
Strip-Till Research with North Dakota State University
North Dakota State Univ. is teaming up with Orthman Mfg, Inc to use the 1tRIPr strip-till toolbar in a heavy corn-on-corn residue system. Walt Albus, research leader at the Oakes Research facility is outfitted with a new 1tRIPr AR to carry out his research and outreach. The machine is set for precision fertilization with a liquid system and the cold SE North Dakota soils.
