No-till

Farmers in Montana Adopting Cover Crops, Other Practices

June 1, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Sidney Herald

Advanced conservation practices are used on more than 50 percent of farmland across the nation. Conrad, MT, wheat farmer Ken Johnson explained how he works to reduce erosion on their family farm. Read more in this article from the Sidney Herald.

[Video] Making the Transition to No-Till

May 20, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Maddy Rabenhorst, Field Manager with the Soil Health Partnership, discusses the challenges and benefits of incorporating soil health practices in your operation, why growers should consider using no-till, the process for transitioning to no-till, and more.

Use Cover Crops to Create a Green Bridge for Pests

May 11, 2020 | Posted in Termination

Source: Cotton Grower

There are some basic management practices that can affect, sometimes worsen, and other times be used to reduce risks of insect pest injury. As a general rule of thumb (but not universally true), no-till production increases the risk of some problems including pests like cutworm, three-cornered alfalfa hopper, slugs, and several below ground pests (e.g., wireworms and white grubs). Read more in this article from Cotton Grower.

Controlling Voles in Cover Crops

May 8, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: Delphos Herald

Voles or field mice populations are increasing due to a mild winter. They predominate in no-till and/or cover crop fields but are also common in tilled fields. Read more in this article from the Delphos Herald (Delphos, Ohio).

Is Organic No-Till Soybean Production Feasible in Ontario?

May 8, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

Organic soybean production relies on a significant amount of tillage. When done well, yields can rival conventional production. Read more in this article from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.

More Soil Health Policies Needed

May 4, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Kenosha News

Calling it a “quiet crisis” in 2018, Ohio State University professor of soil science Rattan Lal said soil loss is a major issue that has been affecting farmers around the world for centuries. “The best practices are to not plow, keep the ground covered with residue and grow a cover crop in the off-season,” Lal said. Read more in this article from Kenosha News.

Organic Soybean Producers Can Be Competitive with Reduced Tillage, Cover Crops

April 22, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Penn State University Extension

Organic soybean producers using no-till and reduced-tillage production methods that incorporate cover crops — strategies that protect soil health and water quality — can achieve similar yields at competitive costs compared to tillage-based production. That’s the conclusion of a new study by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Read more in this article from Penn State University Extension.

[Podcast] Using Cover Crops to Repair Ruts, Damaged Soils

In this week’s podcast, Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff explains how growers can use cover crops, no-till and improving soil health to overcome extreme wet conditions at harvest time. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

April 15, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

In this week’s podcast, Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff explains how growers can use cover crops, no-till and improving soil health to overcome extreme wet conditions at harvest time. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Cover Crops Help Soil Be Ready for Spring Planting

By Sarah Hill posted on April 14, 2020

In many parts of the Midwest, spring is almost here. Some growers may be dealing with spring snowstorms, which will further push back planting season, but planting is on many farmers’ minds.

Iowa Learning Farms Eval Says Soil Erosion Top Reason for Using Covers

April 8, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Bloomfield Democrat (Bloomfield, IA)

Iowa Learning Farms recently released its 2019 Evaluation Report detailing the impact of multiple education and outreach initiatives throughout the year. Key statistics from the report include an up year in cover crop plantings – estimated to eclipse 1 million acres in Iowa. Read more in this article from the Bloomfield Democrat (Bloomfield, IA).