Cover crops

Let Cover Crops Do the Work to Keep Weeds Away

By Sarah Hill posted on August 20, 2019

We all know that one of the potential benefits of using cover crops is weed suppression, but do you know how cover crops actually provide weed suppression? There are a couple of ways: through blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds, and also allelopathy, as the cover crop plants produce a chemical that reduces weed seed germination.

[Video] Cover Crops in Every Rotation

August 20, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

At Frog Song Organics in North Central Florida, John Bitter grows a little bit of everything, upwards of 80 crops in a year. Figuring out his rotations is the key to success as an organic farmer, and cover crops are an integral part of every rotation.

Cover Crop Lessons Learned in Hungary

August 20, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Hungary is the destination for this week’s podcast, as Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff shares his observations from visiting the country for their first-ever soil health conference. Hungarian growers are just becoming more interested in cover crops and no-till, despite the fact that they plow up to 90% of their land. Groff explains why it’s important to review the basics of cover cropping, why radishes are the best choice for a beginning cover crop, what lupins are, and much more.

Nutrient Application & Cover Crops Go Hand in Hand

August 19, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Thinking about applying manure soon on fields where short-season crops like sweet corn or peas have already come off or will be harvested in the next few weeks? Consider planting a cover crop to hold the nutrients in place this fall and next spring, according to this article from University of Minnesota Extension.

Looking for Info on Cover Crops?

August 16, 2019 | Posted in Economics

Source: Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program

Free fact sheets from the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program explore the many ways cover crops can maintain soil and benefit the farm ecosystem, including improving soil conditions and preventing pollution; keeping nutrients out of waterways; covering the soil to prevent erosion; sequestering carbon and more.

Cover Crops, Compost & Carbon

August 14, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Soil Science Society of America

Recent research published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal compared farming systems that received different amounts and types of organic matter sourced from compost and cover crops. The results reiterated that soil enzyme activity confirms the importance of frequent cover cropping in tillage-intensive organic vegetable production.

‘Learn, Unlearn & Relearn’: Farmers Benefit From Soil Health Practices

August 14, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgriNews

Brad Zimmerman openly admits it was daunting when he “was handed the checkbook” to the farm after his father passed away. Zimmerman, of Groveland, a fifth-generation farmer and Tazewell County Soil and Water Conservation District director, shared his journey into farming and his experiences using cover crops at the recent Illinois SWCD annual conference in this article from AgriNews.

[Podcast] Cover Crop Lessons Learned in France

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff shares his insights from visiting France and what American growers can learn from what is being done overseas. French growers are dealing with a ban on glyphosate, the impacts of organic agriculture, farming on steep slopes and more.

August 13, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff shares his insights from visiting France and what American growers can learn from what is being done overseas. French growers are dealing with a ban on glyphosate, the impacts of organic agriculture, farming on steep slopes and more. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

[Video] Using Cover Crops for Diverse Benefits

August 13, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

John Burk and his father farm 2,500 acres of corn, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat in Bay City, Mich. They pair different cover crops with a variety of cash crops to achieve soil benefits, including red clover, oilseed radish, oats and rye.

Cover Crops May Have Value as Cattle Feed

August 9, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Feedstuffs

Cover crops are known to protect soil and water quality, but they also can offer valuable livestock feed, according to Iowa State University research. Find out more in this article from Feedstuffs.