Cover crops - Articles

Indiana Leads the Nation in Cover Crop Acres

September 9, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: AgriNews

An annual survey that was published recently shows Indiana continues to lead the nation in the acres of cover crops planted. The information collected during the fall transect also shows farmers are implementing no-till and strip-tillage practices. Read more in this article from Agri-News.

60-Inch Corn Ideal for Cover Crops

September 7, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Farms.com

Conservation authority staff planted 60-inch corn near Clinton, Ont., as part of a project seeking to better understand how planting cover crops between corn rows may benefit both the crop and the soil. Ross Wilson, the water and soils resource coordinator for Ausable Bayfield Conservation, is collaborating with Bill Gibson, the landowner, on the project. Read more in this article from Farms.com.

Ensuring Seed Quality Essential Ahead of Cover Crop Seed Shortage

September 4, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Following last fall’s record amount of acreage going into cover crops as part of USDA’s prevent plant program, farmers and ranchers need to be diligent when it comes to cover crop seed purchases this year, says Jerry Hall, director of research for GO SEED. “The market is definitely seeing some shortages in a few different crops like radishes, hairy vetch and annual clovers because prevent planting consumed a lot more seed than anybody had prepared for,” explains Hall.

[Video] Cover Crops Species for the Winter Months

September 3, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

This video from University of Arkansas Extension discusses various cover crop species that can provide soil cover, nitrogen production and weed suppression through the winter and into the spring. Find out which species would work for your operation.

[Podcast] Combining Cover Crops & Specialty Crops

Cover crops aren’t just limited to being used with traditional cash crops like corn and soybeans. This week’s podcast, from Hoosier Ag Today and the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, discusses the types of cover crops to use with specialty crops, cover crop establishment and crop rotation.

September 3, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Cover crops aren’t just limited to being used with traditional cash crops like corn and soybeans. This week’s podcast, from Hoosier Ag Today and the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, discusses the types of cover crops to use with specialty crops, cover crop establishment and crop rotation.

Comparing Cover Crop Research Results: 3 Takeaways

By Sarah Hill posted on September 3, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cover crop experience, seeding covers with cash crops and termination methods are areas where farmers share both similarities and differences according to two recent reports.

Research Confirms the Soil Health Benefits of Cover Crops

By Sarah Hill posted on September 2, 2020

Without the soil, no farming would exist. Growers should be fixated with maximizing every inch of soil and improving the various factors that impact soil health.

Canadian Growers Can Do Better with Cover Cropping

September 2, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Alberta Farm Express

Farmers in Western Canada received good marks for increasing organic matter in their soil but a grade of D when it comes to cover cropping. The Soil Conservation Council of Canada released its first national soil health report card this spring — the first attempt to evaluate the state of Canada’s soil since the 1980s. Read more in this article from the Alberta Farm Express.

What to Know Before Planting Cover Crops

August 31, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Daily Review (Towanda, PA)

We all hear the benefits touted about cover crops- less erosion, having a living plant in the ground at all times, alleviating compaction, retaining nutrients for the next crop, giving food and shelter to microbes in the soil, and so on. It is a great list and will do some miraculous things to the soil. Read more in this article from The Daily Review (Towanda, PA).

Annual Cover Crops an Additional Forage Source

August 31, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

As a result of a challenging fall harvest and a considerable precipitation deficit, ranchers are considering options to increase their forage supply. "Recent precipitation in portions of North Dakota impacted by drought may make annual forages and cover crops viable forage options for hay production or grazing," says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.