Crops Research
Current areas of crop research include the effects of row spacing, plant population and date of planting as well as variety testing, maturity testing, herbicide resistant crops, weed management trials and herbicide performance trials - emphasizing corn and soybeans. Other crops studied include oat, alfalfa, sorghum, sudangrass, sunflower and amaranth. Continuing and upcoming projects will be studying B.t. corn and soybean cyst nematode.

Soils Research
Current research projects collaborate with over 40 scientists and students. Areas of research include nutrient management (including use of manures and organic wastes), conservation tillage, precision farming, tile drainage, earthworms and soil health. SWROC has helped pioneer precision farming methods, including nutrient management and the use of yield monitors and global positioning systems.

Long-term and Cropping Systems
Long-term research studies include N management, soil compaction, and crop rotation. These studies provide unique insights into how climate and management influence crop and soil productivity over time. In addition to long-term studies of corn and soybean production, several long-term research projects evaluate the effects of alternate management systems (organic and low imput agriculture) along side more conventional agricultural systems. The Elwell Agroecology Farm acquisition has been instrumental in conducting these studies.

Environmental Monitoring
The Station has a US Weather Service monitoring station, which records local weather conditions for distribution to the Weather Service, researchers, and local media. In addition, long-term records allow analysis of climate and crop development patterns in this part of Minnesota. Also monitored are levels of various insects throughout the growing season - to aid in regional integrated pest management (IPM). Several faculty members in the University of Minnesota Deparment of Soil, Water, and Climate have been working on different aspects of agricultural impact on surface and subsurface water quality. This includes quantifying the mechanisms of non-point source pollution as well as developing management practices that alleviate this pollution.