Better soil health translates to less diesel use

Janelle Atyeo
May 6, 2026
17 hrs ago

Sandhills Sunrise 1.jpg — Sunrise in the Sandhills, as captured on the Jagels ranch.
Submitted photo by Katie Kaliff-Jagels

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Uncertainty over the war in Iran and its impact on fuel prices prompted south-central Nebraska farmer Jordan Uldrich to buy diesel in bulk.

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Jordan Uldrich 1.jpg — Jordan Uldrich combines soybeans. He was pleased to see that a dryland field of beans yielded well after a rye cover crop, even despite receiving little rain in September.
Submitted photo by Kerry Hoffschnieder

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Jordan Uldrich is a fifth generation on his Fillmore County farm, working with his dad and brother to raise conventional corn, soybeans, milo and rye and a small beef herd. He has adopted regenerative practices, including interseeding cover crops and rotational grazing. Jordan is a board member and has one of the demonstration-education sites for the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition.