Cover crops - Articles

[Video] Reducing Nitrates with Cover Crops

February 24, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

In this video from the University of Minnesota, researcher Jeff Vetsch talks about how cereal rye reduced nitrate loss by 70%, how a tile drainage system also influences nitrate losses, the challenges of cover crop establishment, and more.

Effects & Economics of Grazing Cover Crops

February 24, 2021 | Posted in Economics

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

In non-irrigated systems, adding cover crops into the rotation can decrease crop yields if precipitation is limited; however, the use of cover crops for forage may offset costs while retaining soil benefits. This on-farm research study was designed with a system’s perspective incorporating crops, cattle and cover crops in a non-irrigated setting while including the economics of the entire system. Read more in this article from the University of Nebraska.

Cover Crops & Manure

February 22, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

What should your cover crop accomplish if you are applying fall manure? First, a live plant that survives the winter and absorbs nitrogen, phosphorus, and reduces soil erosion. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

[Podcast] I Can Tell Cover Crops Are Working

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features Robb Ewoldt, a grower from Davenport, Iowa. Ewoldt will be a speaker at the upcoming Spring 2021 National Cover Crop Summit. Ewoldt shares a sneak peek of his presentation, discussing how he transitioned to using cover crops, his cover crop goals, his experiences seeding covers with a helicopter, and more.

February 19, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features Robb Ewoldt, a grower from Davenport, Iowa. Ewoldt will be a speaker at the upcoming Spring 2021 National Cover Crop Summit. Ewoldt shares a sneak peek of his presentation, discussing how he transitioned to using cover crops, his cover crop goals, his experiences seeding covers with a helicopter, and more.

Water Quality & Cover Crops

February 19, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Cover crops can directly impact water quality. With all the attention being given to improving water quality and reducing nutrient loads going into Ohio’s waterways, farmers are encouraged to consider a multifaceted approach of best management practices (BMP’s) that include the use of cover crops. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Cover Crops Thrive with Manure

By Sarah Hill posted on February 18, 2021

I recently spoke with three Ohio cover crop growers who have found an innovative way to incorporate manure using a dragline application. The dragline is also a unique tool for terminating their cover crops.

[Video] Long-Term Cover Crop Impacts on Soil Health & Tomatoes

February 18, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Jessica Awrey, a student at the University of Guelph, shares insights learned from research into cover crops in grain and vegetable crop rotations. During the research, covers such as cereal rye, radish, and oats were included and terminated with glyphosate. Awrey's research looked specifically at tomatoes grown as a vegetable crop as part of this rotation - with some interesting findings.

[Video] Soil Health & Profitability from Covers

February 15, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Laura Van Erd from the University of Guelph discusses insights from her research on an 8 year cover crop rotation, including ways to incentivize cover crop adoption, how using cover crops resulted in higher soil carbon levels, which cover crop species resulted in lower soil carbon levels, and more.

Cover Crops as Alternative Weed Control

February 15, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: North Carolina State University

Cover crop use was steadily rising on farms in the early 2000s, with 60% of corn growers reporting their use. But in recent years consistency has wavered. Read more in this article from North Carolina State University.

Rolling Covers

February 11, 2021 | Posted in Termination

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

The use of a roller crimper to terminate cover crops in the spring is gaining popularity. Many farmers often ask if the blades on a crimper should touch the ground, or how much clearance should be allowed. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.