The Northern Soil Compaction Conference is an international virtual event designed to help producers understand, manage, and prevent compaction.
This 4-day webinar is organized by:
- Jodi DeJong-Hughes, University of Minnesota Extension
- Carlos Pires, North Dakota State University Extension
- Marla Riekman, Manitoba Agriculture
- Mehari Tekeste, Iowa State University
- Ian McDonald, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
February 2026 NSCC Agendas
All Webinars 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (CST)
Day 1 - February 3, 2026
- - - Causes of Soil Compaction
The Behavior and Character of Soil Compaction
- Aaron Daigh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Profile
Field Management Decisions that Influence Soil Compaction
- Ian McDonald, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Ontario
Profile
Is Tile Drainage the Right Solution to Mitigate Compaction? The answer: it depends!
- Gary Sands, University of Minnesota
Profile
Diagnosing compaction
- John Fulton, Ohio State University
Profile
The Behavior and Character of Soil
Compaction
Description: What is soil compaction, its causes, how deep and long it lasts, and how freeze–thaw and wet–dry cycles affect it.
Field Management Decisions that Influence Soil Compaction
Description pending
Is Tile Drainage the Right Solution to Mitigate Compaction? The answer: it depends!
Description: You already know that excess soil moisture and compaction go hand-in-hand, but is tile drainage the answer for your farm? Among other benefits, tile drainage increases the number of days with workable soil conditions in the spring and fall, which, in turn, relieves pressure to conduct field operations when conditions are unfavorable—but the profitability of drainage investments involves many factors. This presentation will examine some of these factors using online tools.
Diagnosing Compaction
Description: Identifying crop and soil symptoms using field tools and planting downpressure maps.
Day 2 - February 10, 2026
- - - Effect / Symptoms of Soil Compaction
Effects of Tire Inflation and Equipment Load on Yield
- Mehari Tekeste, Iowa State University
Profile
How do Soil Management Decisions Affect Soybean Disease Development?
- Wade Webster, North Dakota State University
Profile
Nutrient Movement in Compacted Soil
- Francisco Arriaga, University of Wisconsin, Extension Madison
Profile
The Hidden Cost of Compaction
- Peter Johnson, Real Agriculture, Ontario
LinkedIn
Effects of Tire Inflation and Equipment Load on Yield
Description: As farm equipment grows larger and heavier, soil compaction from high axle loads can limit crop development and yield. This study evaluates how precision (central) tire inflation systems on tractors and planters influence soil compaction and corn yield by comparing standard road pressures, IF tire pressures, and central inflation settings
How do Soil Management Decisions Affect Soybean Disease Development?
Description: How does compaction and tillage impact the development of disease in crops? This can impact both the host crop as well as manipulate the microenvironment in a way that will increase the risk of disease development.
Nutrient Movement in Compacted Soil
Description pending
The Hidden Cost of Compaction
Description: How does compaction affect yields, lodging, stalk strength, planting issues, harvest efficiencies, uneven germination, maturity, pinch-rows, grain moisture and drying.
Day 3 - February 17, 2026
- - - Soil-Machine Equipment Managment Options
How Tillage Decisions Impact Susceptibility to Soil Compaction
- Jim Boak, retired Salford Group
LinkedIn
Tires & Tracks - Understanding Your Choices and Making the Right Decisions
- Nicolas Dubuc, Soucy Track, Quebec
LinkedIn - David Graden, Michelin, Quebec
LinkedIn - James Tuschner, Ag Tire Talk, TN
Profile
Choices - What the Data Tells And Why Central Tire Inflation Needs to be a Serious Consideration
How Tillage Decisions Impact Susceptibility to Soil Compaction
Description pending
Tires & Tracks - Understanding your choices and making the right decisions
Description: Are Tires or Tracks best for your operation? It depends upon the application! Find out specifics on applications where Tire & Tracks work best, along with how each impacts soil compaction differently.
Choices - What the data tells and why central tire inflation needs to be a serious consideration
Description pending
Day 4 - February 24, 2026
- - - Avoidance and/or Alleviation of Compaction
Building Soil Resiliency to Combat Compaction
- Megan Westphal, Manitoba Agriculture
LinkedIn
Breaking Up Soil Compaction: What Cover Crops Can (and Can’t) Do
- Carlos Pires, North Dakota State University Extension
Profile
Alleviating Compaction with Iron
- Jodi DeJong-Hughes, University of Minnesota Extension
Profile
Traffic Management Systems for Improved Soil Sustainability
- Diogenes L. Antille, CSIRO Ag and Food
Profile
Building Soil Resiliency to Combat Compaction
Description: This presentation explores practical strategies for building soil health and resiliency by emphasizing the critical role of organic matter and soil structure. Highlighting how strategic, carefully managed tillage can be used to minimize erosion and degradation while maintaining productivity. Together, these approaches provide guidance for long-term agricultural sustainability and improved crop performance.
Building Soil Resiliency to Combat Compaction
Description: This presentation explores practical strategies for building soil health and resiliency by emphasizing the critical role of organic matter and soil structure. Highlighting how strategic, carefully managed tillage can be used to minimize erosion and degradation while maintaining productivity. Together, these approaches provide guidance for long-term agricultural sustainability and improved crop performance.
Alleviating Compaction with Iron
Description: Using a ripper or subsoiler to alleviate compaction may not be as effective as you think. Jodi will discuss how to identify if the soil needs deep ripping, which implement is best for the job, and what to look out for when creating ruts in the field.
Traffic Management Systems for Improved Soil Sustainability
Description: The presentation will use case-studies to exemplify the traffic footprint caused by different traffic and tillage systems, and the options available to either mitigate or avoid compaction. The relationship between compaction (traffic footprint) and soil-water availability, rainfall-use efficiency, and long-term crop productivity will also be discussed.