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Rotary hoe comes in handy for Minnesota organic farmers this spring

A rotary hoe is proving to be a valuable tool for an organic crop farmer in west-central Minnesota.

Carolyn Olson of Cottonwood says the implement comes in handy when there’s soil crusting.

“We love using the rotary hoe in the spring because it breaks up that crust. And it (also) does such a good job eliminating some of those small weeds before the crop gets too big.”

She tells Brownfield weed pressure has been lessened by a lack of moisture this spring.

“The long-tooth harrow, the dragging that we’ve done early, we were able to eliminate some weeds. And now going through with the rotary hoe we’re able to eliminate more of those little small weeds. So right now things are looking pretty good.”

Olson plans to use finger weeders on her cultivator later in the season to get weeds that are right up against her organic corn and soybeans.