Sustainability Archives - Busch Grains

How to Plan a Regenerative Summer

Tracy Brandt — Mon, 15 Apr 2025 18:01:18 +0000

Our Crop Specialist, Olivia, recently sat down with Kevin Elmy to ask him questions about his experience with regenerative agriculture. Kevin and his family farmed in eastern Saskatchewan, where they used regenerative agriculture practices in their operation to build soil health. Now, he consults with farms to adopt regenerative agricultural practices in North America and Australia and is based in Central Alberta.

OLIVIA: Where would you recommend starting if you were new to this? Is there anything a grower could still do this year to get started?

KEVIN: Absolutely. The best time to start regenerative ag practices is last year, and the next best time is today. The easiest thing to start with is creating a plan to have continuously growing roots throughout the growing season. Including something like Italian ryegrass in with your oats, in this case, is an easy thing to do. If you are concerned about nutrient tie up from growing a low-density biennial grass that is going to winter kill, throw in some subterranean clover with it. Now you have a nitrogen fixer that’s going to be feeding the Italian ryegrass and the oats, build your mycorrhizae, tie up the excess nitrates in the soil, and get that soil health process started.

OLIVIA: Are there methods for seeding different cover crop species? Is it more important to consider the seed size or the moisture requirements of the cover crop seed when you’re making those decisions?

KEVIN: If we’re using something like teff grass, which has around 1.3 million seeds per pound, and we try seeding it down the same depth as oats (and it’s drier), you’ll never see a teff grass plant in the field, If we throw in some subterranean clover and Italian ryegrass with the oats, we need to change our seeding depth from 2 – 2.5 inches to 1-1.5 inches, as we will have some mortality from adding those smaller cover crop seeds in with the oat seed. That’s the easy button: one pass and you’re done. The other option is if we have good spring moisture when we’re seeding, we can broadcast Italian ryegrass and subterranean clover on before or after seeding the oats. If it is going to be dry, don’t broadcast the cover crop seed; try and put it into the soil with your cash crop seed. If the soil moisture looks good or we want to delay the seeding of our cover crop, then yes, we need that rain and moisture post-seeding.

When we’re seeding our oats and cover crop with it, we must reduce the seeding rate of our oats by around 15-20%. The oats at a high seeding rate cannot differentiate between a cover crop and a weed. To get these cover crops established properly, we need to cut those seeding rates back. That’s going to scare a lot of people, but it’s going to be something that once we have this system going, the entire system is going to work more efficiently than with a higher rate of the oats.

OLIVIA: Are there recommendations for cover crop seed mixtures that work particularly well?

KEVIN: I’m always looking to pick species that are going to be growing below the cutting bar of the crop we’re dealing with. If we’re leaving 12 inches of stubble, I want to pick the species that are going to grow less than 12 inches tall. Subterranean clover is a no brainer because it only grows one or two inches high. Italian rye grass takes about 40 days for it to get up and going, so it will remain underneath the main crop canopy. Unless you get a year where it doesn’t stop raining all summer, it’s going to be in the range of 2 to 4 inches tall underneath the canopy. Species like hairy vetch will vine up and grow into the top part of the canopy; that’s not going to be fun to manage. Putting in sunflowers, once again, they’re tall and going to pop up above the canopy. Stay away from the brassicas (and collards) in your crop until after harvest because they are scavengers and will take nutrients away from your oats. Post-harvest you can put turnips and radishes in, assuming you’re not going to canola after that. Go through and identify which species are going to be nice and low growing.

OLIVIA: Are there any tips for growers on how to reduce disturbance while planting?

KEVIN: One thing we did on our farm was use an air seeder. We went from using a spoon or a shovel opener and went to a hoe-type opener, so this way we were not throwing as much dirt around. We’re also slowing the speed of our tractor to 4-4.5 mph, which is significant when you’re typically going 5-6 mph.

OLIVIA: Are there ways that you can utilize tillage while still promoting soil health? And under what circumstances would you be using tillage to do so?

KEVIN: If we are getting large volumes of rain, we are developing a plow layer over time, so maybe we go in one time with a narrow seed opener. This will do a little tillage and open that up if we have hard soil. If we have excess trash on the surface [due to regen ag practices], we might need to till a little bit, but it must be, as one producer told me, surgical tillage. If my appendix were about to burst, I would not want the doctor to start the incision at my shoulder, get to my thigh and find the appendix. The surgeon needs to make a little incision where they need, take out that appendix, and close me up. Tillage is the same, do the minimum amount of disturbance we have to do and get out. The next thing is, after you do tillage, what are you doing after? If we are going to till, are we going to seed a cover crop after? Are we going to be putting down some humates? How are we going to get our soil and our management to the point where we do not have to till to solve a problem that was caused by tillage in the first place?

OLIVIA: What does planning fertility for regenerative farms look like? What kinds of products are out there to use for different operation types?

KEVIN: Nitrogen is easy to reduce. There are a lot of cases where you can quite easily cut back on your nitrogen if you have a legume in there, because the legume will share nitrogen throughout the growing season with that grass. When we can put foliar nitrogen on, it is 4.2 times more effective than putting it into the soil. We can put down some starter N, but then do foliar applications of nitrogen during the growing season, which is way more efficient. For phosphate reduction, we must build up soil biology first. Once we have that up and going, then we can start cutting back on phosphate and learning what triggers availability of phosphate in the soil. It is important to stay away from fungicides and reduce the salt effect of our fertilizers so we can reduce P input.

With biologicals, there are two main groups. There’s compost based, where it is either dry compost or a tea extract. The compost and extracts are adding more biology into your system. Or there are biostimulants, which are putting biological foods into the soil to stimulate the biology you have already. Which one should I use? If you have a highly biological system that is just tired, and this is more so in the cases of pastures and hay fields where we haven’t been tilling, then use biostimulants as the alarm clock to wake up the soil and get things going. When we look at our monoculture cropping system, we’re dealing with tight rotations and high synthetic inputs. What’s going to happen is they’re going to go into either deep dormancy or die and fall to background levels. In that case, going in with a very diverse product with different microbes in the soil: that is crucial. Our soil is very deficient in active fungi. I’m always working on developing systems to develop more fungi in our soil. When we get fungi, then we get good nematodes. We get good nematodes, then the bacteria are easy to manipulate. We can increase the populations of bacteria in the soil tenfold in four days. When we have functioning soils, we have good populations of both.

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Improving Soil Health using Regenerative Ag Practices

Tracy Brandt — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 16:53:22 +0000

Regenerative agriculture may sound like a fancy new term-but it’s simply quantifying what many farmers have been doing for years. If you’ve read our page on Regenerative Ag and how it is more than just sustainability, then you know that growers in partnership with Busch Grains have embraced Regen Ag and have already begun to reap its benefits–from a reduction in carbon emissions to helping with growers’ bottom lines.

But what exactly is Regenerative Agriculture, what does the philosophy entail, and how does our company and its growers support it? In the last several years, customers, farmers, and other stakeholders have shown increasing interest in making tangible steps toward reducing their carbon footprint. Regen Ag takes sustainable agriculture practices a step further by instituting and tracking the results of carbon-reducing farming methods.

In addition to reducing or negating carbon output and contributing to growers’ bottom lines, farmers have been using regenerative agriculture practices for years to build and maintain soil health and reduce soil erosion.

Regenerative agriculture practices also sequester carbon from the atmosphere, which can result in a negative carbon footprint by retaining more carbon than is emitted. How do we do this?

Through crop rotations, the use of cover crops, and reduced tillage. Some farmers have been instituting these practices for years; however others have not adopted them for various reasons. As part of our program, Busch Grains supports farmer-led organizations that provide resources to farmers–from cost shares to mentorship programs and field days. In partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, farmers in our program have access to resources, mentorships, and cost share programs that make sustainable farming even more accessible.

One of our growers, Ben Dwire, has been a member of our Sustainability Program for three years. Ben and Kristi, his wife, are both fourth generation farmers. They started their own farm together in 2005. Their farm is currently on a three-year rotation of corn, soybeans, and small grains–predominantly oats. In addition to supplying oats, Ben also raises soybeans for Busch Grains. He says that sustainable agriculture practices that include a small grain, such as oats, reduces crop disease and pests by breaking the pest cycle. Growing oats also allows them to get a full season of a cover crop, which vastly improves soil health. “Oats just make all the other crops look good,” Ben says.

Especially in times of drought, no-till and cover crop practices allow the soil to absorb the small amount of water that collects during brief bursts of rain. The residue that builds up on the soil’s top layer gives the water sufficient time to sink in.

Ben Dwire inspects the field of oats with Eric DeBlieck, Busch Grains’ Director of Crop Sciences.

As for growers who would like to get started with Regenerative Ag practices but may not know where to begin, Ben says that a program like Busch Grains + Practical Farmers of Iowa is a great place to start. The program takes some of the risk out of sustainable agriculture practices through cost share for cover crops and through educational programs that provide information to those starting out. “It’s nothing that anyone couldn’t do. There’s no special secret,” Ben states.

So why do environmentally friendly farming techniques matter for Busch Grains customers? Our consumers everywhere increasingly want to know that the brands they’re buying from are taking steps to reduce their emissions. The supply chain starts with our growers–and when they’re farming with Regen Ag practices, the products your customers eat are contributing to a more sustainable future.

We are excited to share more information with you about our growers and the Regen Ag program. Contact Beth Stebbins with any questions at 952.983.1279 or bethany.stebbins@grainmillers.com.

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6 Keys to Producing Food-Grade Oats

MarketingAdmin — Wed, 08 May 2019 21:55:33 +0000

Not all oats are created equal. Busch Grains’ growth and success over the last 30+ years is
largely due to the support of our growers who provide us with the highest quality oats through the production of a food-grade oat crop.

Food-grade oats are grains that are destined to become an ingredient for human consumption. These oats need to be clean with plump, high test-weight kernels. It is important that we buy “an ingredient” and not a commodity.

Over the years we have been approached by numerous growers asking what they can do to produce food-grade oats. Busch Grains’ Crop Sciences team is dedicated to helping
farmers produce a crop of the greatest quality and quantity.

The information in this article contains the best tips from our Crop Sciences team and is designed to be used as a resource to help growers achieve these quality specifications and goals.

1. Variety & Field Selection

Varietal selection is one of the most important considerations when producing oats
destined for human consumption. The oats have several differing characteristics
including yield, lodging resistance, test weight, hull percentage, hull color,
maturity, and disease resistance.

There is not a certain oat variety that will be best for all situations. Environmental
factors including previous crops, disease problems, fertility, season length,
rainfall, temperature, and soil types play a significant role in determining
which oat variety will be best for the growing conditions.

In order to maximize yield and quality, some factors of the potential field selection must
be evaluated:

Fields should be relatively free of wild oats and have minimal to no herbicide residue
carryover.
It is best practice to NOT rotate cereal grains back-to-back with oats.
More desirable rotational crops include canola, hay fields, soybeans, and/or other legumes.
Oats can tolerate cooler and wetter soils than many other crops and can germinate at soil temps
as low as 45°F or 7°C. Early planting will typically help provide a production edge later in the season.

2. Seeding

To ensure purity, germination, and overall quality, it is recommended to use certified seed. To provide defense against weeds and weather, oats should be seeded early. Weather is a significant factor to be aware of when planning the seeding process, considering oats can germinate in soil temps as low as 45°F or 7°C.

The recommended seeding rate for oats usually varies between 80 and 130 pounds per
acre, depending upon the amount of seeds per pound. The goal of this seeding rate is to have a final stand of 18-25 plants per square foot. It is important to calculate seeding rate in the method described below, because individual kernel size can vary greatly among varieties and crop years. Calculating seeding rate in this fashion can ensure you achieve optimal plant populations, which reduces tillering and improves both yield and quality. To accurately calculate seeding rate, use seeds per pound and the following formula:

3. Fertility & Weed Control

Although oats are a hardy crop, they require fewer nutrients than many other crops. Soil
tests are recommended to determine nutrient levels within the soil and accurately determine additional nutrient needs.

Organic and conventional systems share common weed control tactics:

Early planting allows the crop to canopy and compete better with weeds.
Oats are known to provide an allelopathic (the chemical inhibition of one plant acting as a germination or growth inhibitor) residue that hinders germination of many weeds.
The seeding rate plays a factor in overall weed control. An adequate stand will help shade and create stronger competition against weeds.
Conventional systems also allow for use of herbicides to help promote weed control. Be sure to only use approved herbicides and to always follow label directions for application.

4. Insects & Diseases

Monitoring disease pressure is just as important in oats as any other crop. A handful of
fungal diseases bring about the largest area for concern. Crown and Stem Rust,
Septoria, and Fusarium Head Blight are the most prominent. Within a conventional system, each of these fungal diseases can be treated with timely applications of fungicides. When in an organic system, control comes from genetic resistance increasing the importance of variety selection.

Crown Rust: Symptoms of this fungal disease consist of red/orange colored pustules forming on the leaves of the oat plant. Fields should be scouted during the late 4 leaf stage and into flag leaf. Fungicide control for crown rust is most effective when applied during flag leaf.
Septoria: A fungal disease that exhibits symptoms first as small spots on the lower leaves of seedlings. Spots grow into larger, lens-shaped lesions which are initially yellow and later turn reddish brown. Lesions are first found on lower leaves within the plant canopy. Wet, warm, and humid conditions promote growth. Fungicide applications have been known to help control spread and damage of the disease.
Fusarium Head Blight: Fusarium Head Blight: Common symptoms are pink and tan shading at the base of an infected glume. This fungal disease is known to produce the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), more commonly known as vomitoxin. It is hard to scout for and detect within an oat crop. Fungicide application during flag leaf has been known to help reduce effects of FHB.
BYDV: Also known as Red leaf, it is a virus that turns an infected leaf red or yellow and causes it to curl toward the midrib. The most common vector for BYDV is the Cherry Oat Aphid. BYDV is best controlled with genetic resistance variety selection. The newer varieties typically show resistance.

5. Maturity & Harvesting

Oats, unlike many other grains, mature from the top of the panicle downward. Since
90% of grain is in the bottom two-thirds of the head, it is important to ensure proper maturity before harvest.

Swathing: Ideal grain moisture range is between 20-25%.
The greenest kernels should have just changed to a cream color. Swathing the
oats too early will have a negative effect on test weight and milling quality.
The oats should then dry to approximately 14% in the windrow before combining.
Straight Cutting: This should be done once the
oats have reached full maturity and the grain has dried to a moisture of
approximately 14-15%. Straight cutting may be done providing that adequate air-drying
is available prior to long term storage.

The desired moisture specification for delivery to Busch Grains’ facilities is
13.5%. If there is no on-farm capacity for bringing moisture down (aeration storage, grain dryer, etc.) then target harvest moisture should be 13.5% or less.

It is important to avoid de-hulled kernels when harvesting. If conditions are dry, widen concave and slow cylinder speeds to prevent de-hulling and kernel breakage. Perform reverse procedure if threshing quality is poor. Increasing fan speed will provide heavier test weights and higher quality milling oats.

6. Storage

Proper grain storage is imperative to maintain quality milling oats. Storage for oats
should be clean and dry; aeration is best if available. The target moisture should be between 11-13% when entering the bin for long-term storage.

If the oats are harvested above 14%, the proper use of a grain dryer is
recommended to bring down the moisture to an appropriate level. When drying
oats, the dryer should remain at a temperature of less than 160°F (70°C). Grain
temperature should not exceed 120°F (50°C) during the drying process. After
drying, the oats should be aerated in order to reduce the temperature for
greater quality preservation.

When moisture is below 14% at harvest, simple aeration will be able to bring down the moisture to storage levels. Be sure to only run fans on cool and dry days. As with all grain, oats should be closely monitored for hot spots or quality deterioration.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have questions about producing food-grade oats, or any other grains, our Crop Sciences team is here to help. You are welcome to email us or call 952.983.1269.

Learn about our free Sustainability Program >

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New FDA Ruling Allows Oat Fiber for Dietary Fiber Label Claims

Bob Passaro — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 22:39:42 +0000

A new FDA ruling issued last Thursday confirms oat fiber on the list of ingredients now recognized as a “dietary fiber” (under 21 CFR 101.9(c)(6)(i)) within the “mixed plant cell wall fibers” category. Therefore, oat fiber from Busch Grains now qualifies as an official dietary fiber for Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts labels. This allows manufacturers to use oat fiber as a dietary fiber source.

Among the group of fibers on the newly recognized list of dietary fiber sources, Busch Grains’ oat fiber offers the best opportunity to formulate for clean labels. Busch Grains utilizes a proprietary, chemical-free, environmentally sound processing technique for all of its oat fiber ingredients, including the market’s first chemical-free and organically certified oat fiber.

Through its proprietary process, Busch Grains offers oat fiber with a variety of functional characteristics, suitable for applications from beverages to bars, snacks, pasta, cereals, and meat products, including gluten-free, Non-GMO, and organic products.

“Nothing added and nothing taken away” remains the motto for Busch Grains’ oat fiber, with the company continually monitoring the supply chain from field selection to milling. “In today’s era of demand for transparency and traceability, our oat fiber has always checked all the boxes for discerning consumers,” says Chris Kongsore, Executive Vice President of Busch Grains. “The recent change in FDA regulations further strengthens our position as a market leader in the supply of organic, chemical-free, clean label dietary oat fiber.”

In food formulation, oat fiber’s functional properties include improved product texture and integrity as well as enhanced crumb softness in baked goods, among others. Oat fiber is cost-effective, possesses a bland natural flavor with no off-odors, and is available in bags, totes, and bulk shipments.

“The functional and physiological benefits of oat fiber and the chemical-free process we use to produce it, make our fiber the preferred dietary fiber for use among formulators for all sorts of applications,” said Roberto Serrano, VP of Product Development for Busch Grains.

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