Cover crops - Articles

Scout for True Armyworm in Cover Crops

August 14, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Populations of true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) exceeding economic thresholds have been reported in Minnesota. Be sure to scout corn that was planted into a grass cover crop or where dense grassy weeds were controlled post-emerge. Read more in this article from the Faribault Daily News (Faribault, MN).

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Researching Cover Crops & Livestock Grazing

August 14, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Lancaster Farming

The university, in partnership, with the University of California at Davis; University of Minnesota; The Organic Center in Washington, D.C.; and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland, were collectively awarded a nearly $1 million grant to “investigate the benefits of livestock integration through cover-crop grazing on bacterial population dynamics, food safety, and soil and environmental health,” said Dr. Fawzy Hashem, a research associate professor in the university’s Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

[Video] Setting Up for Cover Crop Success

August 13, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

In this webinar, learn more about how to make a plan for your cover crops, the pros and cons of various cover crop seeding methods, how to select a cover crop seed species, and more.

[Podcast] Using Perennial Cover Crops as Forage

In this podcast from Hoosier Ag Today, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Keith Johnson and Forage Agronomist Greg Downing with Cisco Seed discuss harvesting cover crops as forage.

August 13, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

In this podcast from Hoosier Ag Today, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Keith Johnson and Forage Agronomist Greg Downing with Cisco Seed discuss harvesting cover crops as forage.

Tips for Developing a Cover Crop Grazing Lease

August 12, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: The Fence Post

As ranchers continue with the struggle to find more grazing land to expand their livestock operations, more are looking into growing cover crops for grazing or renting cover crop land from neighboring farmers. Greg Rasmussen started planting cover crops on a piece of farm ground north of Boelus, Neb., several years ago, in an effort to stop soil erosion and improve soil health. Read more in this article from The Fence Post.

University of Georgia Researching Cover Crops

August 12, 2020 | Posted in Termination

Source: Southeast Ag Net

University of Georgia researchers are working on natural solutions to weed problems in row crops as government regulations of chemical herbicides grow stricter. Earlier in June, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals pulled registrations for the use of all dicamba products for row-crop production. Read more in this article from Southeast AgNet.

Cover Crops Can Help Feed Communities, Too

By Sarah Hill posted on August 10, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic, arguably the most defining event of 2020, has exposed the gaps in our nation’s food supply chain. Remember when news reports and social media were showing mountains of fresh produce that were stuck on farms, unable to be transported to grocery stores or processing facilities due to the pandemic?

[Video] The Business of Cover Crops

August 10, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Cover crops now are grown on 4% of Iowa acres. How can farmers balance the environmental factors of cover crops with the economics? Find out what the benefits of cover crops are to your farm business in this video from Iowa Learning Farms.

Cover Crops Have a Place on Every Farm

August 10, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: KIWA Radio (Sheldon, IA)

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) officials each year report an increased adoption of conservation practices, such as cover crops. However, there is still room for growth. Today we focus on growth, which is dependent on one’s comfort level. Read more in this article from KIWA Radio (Sheldon, IA).

Consider Cover Crops for Prevent Plant Acres

August 7, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: North Dakota State University Extension press release

Planting cover crops is an option to consider in managing your prevented plant acres, says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University Extension farm management specialist. Rules for planting cover crops on prevented plant acres must be followed. Read more in this article from North Dakota State University.