The second annual ProYield Vertical Tillage Summer Conference conducted by ProfitPro of Albert Lea on July 23-25 was a huge success, according to organizers. The educational event attracted participants from seven Midwestern states and other areas including Louisiana, Washington, Texas and as far away as Australia.

Speakers included Dr. William Jackson, one of the world’s foremost authorities on soil biology; Dr. Gene Gilbert, former National Agrochemical Specialist and pathologist with the USDA-SCS; Wendell Bachmann, soil biologist and livestock production specialist; ProfitPro founder and President Dr. James Ladlie; and other leading authorities in plant physiology, soil chemistry and plant nutrient management;

Several crop producers spoke about their experiences and successes with the ProYield Vertical Tillage System including their vertical tillage methods, foliar feeding, crop residue management and use of biological products to enhance soil micro-life. Seed coating polymers, managing soybean aphids, Asian Rust, Cyst Nematodes and on-farm containment systems for storing fertilizers, chemicals and petroleum products were also discussed.

On Saturday, the attendees were bussed to ProfitPro’s research farm at Hollandale and to vertical tillage grower Marlowe Wangen’s farm near Hayward.

At each place, they were able to witness first-hand, in-field observation of new technologies and crop management concepts in the vertical tillage system, root pits and various other demonstrations related to the vertical tillage system.