Cover crops - Articles

3 Benefits of Grazing Cover Crops

January 24, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Planting annual cover crops in between cash cropping systems can be a great way to produce extra forage and extend the grazing season. Cover crop grazing can provide benefits to your operation including saving time, money and improving soil health. Find out more in this article from the Soil Health Partnership.

Florida Citrus Industry Saved by Cover Crops?

January 22, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Civil Eats

For the last couple of decades, a tiny insect called the Asian citrus psyllid has fed on the stems and leaves of the orange trees in Florida, infecting them with bacteria that cause a lethal disease called citrus greening. After years of seeking remedies—everything from antibiotics to GMOs to psyllid-sniffing dogs—with little success, Florida’s embattled citrus growers have discovered a new tool, thanks to the work of researchers at the University of Florida: planting cover crops amidst the orange groves.

[Podcast] Less Fertilizer Needed for Vegetables When Grown with Covers

Cover crops are particularly impressive at controlling weeds in a vegetable production system, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

January 22, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cover crops are particularly impressive at controlling weeds in a vegetable production system, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. In this podcast, Groff explains how covers supply nitrogen in the soil for vegetable plants, why cover crops should not be used with early-producing vegetables, how pumpkins are cleaner when grown with covers, and more. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Prevent Nitrogen Loss with Cover Crops

January 20, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Michigan State University

Careful manure management is a principle of farm profitability and environmental stewardship. Applying manure to land that has a cover crop is another practice that can help with nitrogen management.

Meeting Cover Crop Goals

January 20, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Aberdeen News

Cover crops can be used to benefit multiple aspects of your operation. However, in order to see notable improvement, specific areas you want to progress must be outlined so that a plan of action can be formed accordingly. As we get through the start of the New Year, now is a good time to set goals for cover crop performance and develop a strategic plan to achieve them.

Where to Start with Cover Crops

January 16, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Miami County Republic

You have read all the articles on soil health and you know how important it is. You have decided you want to try and plant cover crops, but where do you go to get started?

Rediscovering Cover Crops

January 16, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: USDA

Farmers throughout history have taken advantage of off-season plant growth to enhance their next year’s crops. These plants, called cover crops, are beneficial in many ways, including protection against weed infestation and soil erosion, as well as feed for farm animals.

Find Your Cover Crop ‘Coach’

By Sarah Hill posted on January 16, 2020

Farming is no different than sports, especially when implementing a new practice like cover planting crops. Out of the many growers I’ve talked to, those who have achieved success have a mentor, or multiple mentors to show them the ropes and get them moving in the right direction.

[Podcast] Growing Your Own Cover Crop Seed

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that he’s learned to plant hairy vetch with cereal rye and triticale when it will be used for seed. In this podcast, Groff explains why you might want to grow your own seed. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

January 16, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that he’s learned to plant hairy vetch with cereal rye and triticale when it will be used for seed. In this podcast, Groff explains why you might want to grow your own seed.

Growing Your Own Cover Crop Seed

January 16, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that he’s learned to plant hairy vetch with cereal rye and triticale when it will be used for seed. In this podcast, Groff explains why you might want to grow your own seed, the limitations to growing your own cover crop seed, why growing your own cover crop seed may require special harvesting equipment modifications, and more.