Riley Boadwine - October 2022

Posted: 10/19/2022

Riley Boadwine – October 2022

 

Welcome to Boadwine Farms! Riley Boadwine gives us an introduction to the nutrients needed for growing crops and how they care for the soil on their farm.

 

Discussion Topic: Riley shared that his family raises Holstein cattle, which are dairy cows.

What are characteristics of each breed of dairy cow?

            Breeds of Dairy Cattle

 

What are characteristics that define a dairy cow or a beef cow?

            Use this link to learn more about types of cattle

           

 

Discussion Topic: Science 4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

 

Corn Soil Nutrients

To be healthy and produce excellent crops, a growing plant needs an adequate and balanced supply of over a dozen nutrients, mostly coming from the soil. Some are needed in larger amounts (the major nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium), while others are needed in smaller amounts (the secondary and trace elements: magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, boron, molybdenum, and chlorine). These plus carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from the air and water are put together by the plant to form carbohydrates (sugars, starches, cellulose), fats, proteins, vitamins, and other miscellaneous products. Photo­synthesis (powered by the sun’s energy) and other metabolic processes accomplish these feats. 

In a living, well aerated, fertile soil, the minerals, humus, and microorganisms should supply all of the plant’s needs if there are no stresses from weather. 

This article is an excerpt from the book How to Grow Top Quality Corn by Dr. Harold Willis.