Cover crops - Articles

Cover Crops & Crop Insurance

May 13, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

In this week’s podcast, crop insurance expert and Wisconsin farmer Ryan Stockwell with the National Wildlife Federation discusses why crop insurance regulations are outdated, why crop insurance eligibility rules are unfavorable to cover crops, how crop insurance will be evolving, and more.

Soil Health Practices Help Farmers Save Money

May 11, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ag Alert

Farmers who have adopted healthy soil practices such as growing cover crops or adding compost say the techniques save money on production costs while enhancing crop yields. A farmland-conservation group says it hopes case studies documenting the benefits will encourage more farmers to use similar methods. Read more in this article from Ag Alert.

Much to Learn About Soil Microbes

May 6, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Aberdeen News

Results of a three-year soil health study focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi proves there is still much to learn about soil microbes. “This is the purpose of research,” explains Mike Lehman, soil microbiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Research Station (USDA-ARS) in Brookings, S.D. Read more in this article from Aberdeen News.

[Video] Protecting Soil Health with Cover Crops

May 4, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

A Tennessee farmer discusses why he uses cover crops to keep his topsoil on his farm, scavenge nutrients, and erosion control.

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.

Consider Black Oats as a Cover Crop

May 4, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says black oats have impressed him the past few years as a cover crop. The winter hardy Cosaque variety of black oats seems to be most popular and can even be used as a forage.

Cover Crops in High Country Pastures

April 29, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Lancaster Farming

Glenn Elzinga converted leased BLM land to organic, improving forage quality by improving the soil. When Elzinga began looking at the soil and the forages that they provided for his cattle, he wanted to do better. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

Improving Soil Health in Vegetable Production with Cover Crops

April 29, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Using cover crops is a way to protect the soil and mitigate soil loss, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff, and that includes in vegetable production. Groff also explains how vegetable production can be done with no-till, how bare soil can lead to soil-borne disease in vegetable crops, how soil health and plant health are linked, and more.

Cover Crops, Livestock Bring Life to No-Till Farm

Planting green and integrating livestock is helping South Dakota no-tiller Jordan Reimnitz reduce soil erosion and improve soil health, improve livestock health and stretch winter feed supplies.

April 28, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Grower and livestock producer Jordan Reimnitz has seen the benefits of going completely no-till on his family farm and adding cover crops to enhance the benefits.

Managing Prevent Plant Acres This Spring

April 24, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

The spring planting season is soon upon us. Prevent plant acres, or fields that were too wet to be planted to a cash crop last year, may need some special attention this season. Read more in this article from the University of Minnesota Extension.