Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast

Bridging the Research and Farmer Realities Gap - RDA 306

Episode Summary

"We're putting out fertilizer to grow beef. Grass is the middleman." Oklahoma State University's Dr. Steve Phillips shares how his experience working with soil nutrients around the world can help producers in the southern Great Plains

Episode Notes

• Livestock as Performance Indicators: Dr. Phillips discussed the importance of using livestock as performance indicators for forage management strategies. By measuring animal weight gain, we can evaluate the effectiveness of fertility treatments.
• Nutrient Cycling Approach: Emphasizing a "one health ecosystem" approach, Dr. Phillips plans to study the nitrogen cycle from soil to plant, animal, and back to soil, including measuring animal waste.
• Long-term Rotation Study: A massive 8.5-acre experiment is underway to study the impact of varying rotations, tillage practices, and nutrient application timings on double-crop systems. This "living lab" will provide insights for years to come.
• Farmer-Centric Experimentation: Drawing from his international experience, Dr. Phillips advocates for a farmer-centric approach, where researchers facilitate on-farm experimentation and learn from growers' perspectives.
• Connecting Researchers: Dr. Phillips' work in Africa focused on building networks and communities among researchers, enabling them to share knowledge, collaborate, and secure funding for impactful projects.