Cover crops - Articles

[Video] Selecting Cover Crop Species for a Mixture

February 19, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Monica Jean, Field Crops Educator with Michigan State University Extension, discusses how to choose cover crop species for an effective cover crop mixture. She will explain the best cover crops for growers who are just beginning to use cover crops, how to combine functional groups when choosing cover crop species, and more.

Two States Investing in Cover Crops

February 19, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Civil Eats

Maryland has become a model of cover crop adoption. Indeed, cover crops are now one of the most common, accessible agricultural strategies for improving soil health and water retention and preventing nitrogen pollution in water and erosion—to the benefit of both the environment and the farmer. Read more in this article from Civil Eats.

Talk to Your Landlord About Cover Crops

By Sarah Hill posted on February 18, 2020

How often do you communicate with the landlord about the farm ground you rent? If you’re farming rented ground, it can make a big difference in how you approach decisions, such as cover cropping. For most growers, the question is whether you be profitable while growing cover crops on rented land?

Do Cover Crops Provide Economic Returns?

February 14, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: KMA Radio

An agricultural economist and an agronomist walk into a room … and a point-counterpoint debate ensues. “Cover crops are time-consuming and don’t provide economic returns,” the economist says, pointing to a survey of farmers not currently using cover crops. Find out how the agronomist responds in this article from KMALand.

Tips for Making Cover Crops Work in Northern Climates

February 14, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

If you have always wanted to try cover crops, but live in an area with a short growing season, this podcast is for you! There are many variables involved when planting cover crops in a short growing season, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff.

Growing Oats for Cover Crop Seed Requires Plant Variety Protection

February 12, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Practical Farmers of Iowa

Oats are the second most popular cover crop in Iowa, creating a significant market for oat seed. Though cover crop seed markets offer the advantages of a favorable price and local markets with little transport cost, growing oats for seed is more difficult than the other most popular cover crop, rye. Find out why in this article from Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Switching to No-Till, Cover Crops Increases ROI

February 12, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: AgriNews

Switching from a traditional tillage system to a no-till and cover crop program can result in major benefits, including increased return on investment. Evaluate the optimal crop plan for your farming system and look at the return on investment for the overall crop rotation of three or four crops. Find out more in this article from AgriNews.

[Podcast] Tips for Making Cover Crops Work in Northern Climates

If you have always wanted to try cover crops, but live in an area with a short growing season, this podcast is for you! There are many variables involved when planting cover crops in a short growing season, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

February 11, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

If you have always wanted to try cover crops, but live in an area with a short growing season, this podcast is for you! There are many variables involved when planting cover crops in a short growing season, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Mung Beans Help Diversify Cover Crop Mixes, Stretch Feed Supplies

By Sarah Hill posted on February 11, 2020

You have probably seen mung beans before but didn’t know what they were. This warm-season legume used by many as a cover crop is best suited to certain regions and soil types. Mung beans can be an additional cover crop species to add diversity to cover crop mixes.

Utah Farmers Try Cover Crops

February 10, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Journal

Planting cover crops instead of fallowing fields may boost soil health, but farmers shouldn’t expect their efforts to work immediately. Cover crops also increase costs. That was the takeaway from a workshop presented by the Southwestern Colorado Research Center and attended by more than 60 farmers and ranchers Monday in Dove Creek, Utah, at the Public Service Center. Read more about farmers' experiences in this article from The Journal (Cortez, CO).