Cover crops - Articles

[Podcast] Making Cover Crops Work in Semi-Arid Environments

Although most growers this year have been dealing with too much rain, there are areas and years when getting a cover crop established and reaping the benefit without draining soil moisture is a challenge.

September 10, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Although most growers this year have been dealing with too much rain, there are areas and years when getting a cover crop established and reaping the benefit without draining soil moisture is a challenge. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Making Cover Crops Work in Semi-Arid Environments

September 10, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Although most growers this year have been dealing with too much rain, there are areas and years when getting a cover crop established and reaping the benefit without draining soil moisture is a challenge. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that growers using covers in a low-rainfall area should concentrate on feeding soil biology, keeping the soil cool and improve water management. Executing these ideas will look different for each farmer, but all farmers can aim for diversity of species, keeping something growing in fields year-round and shading fields. Find out more in this week’s podcast. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

[Video] Indiana Leaders in Cover Cropping

September 9, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Jamie Scott, of Pierceton, Ind., farms 2,000 acres as part of a family operation. He also provides sells and service for cover crop seeding in northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio.

Cover Crop Considerations Following Late-Season Hail

September 9, 2019 | Posted in Economics

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

Late-season hail has again impacted fields across Nebraska. Growers are asking for cover crop information for weed management, excess nitrogen uptake, and forage options. Find out what can be done in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

Covering Your Assets During Drought

September 6, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Grassland Oregon

Benjamin Franklin was right on the money about all of us being able to count on death and taxes at some point in time, but he overlooked one other guarantee – drought. Even now, just a few months after certain parts of the country have seen waters recede following unprecedented flooding this spring, the United States Drought Monitor is showing areas of drought pop up in the Pacific Northwest, Corn Belt, Southeast and majority of Texas and Oklahoma. Find out more in this article from Grassland Oregon.

[Podcast] Understanding Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios & Cover Crops

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a critical number to know when planning for both cover crops and cash crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. The C:N ratio affects decomposition rates for crop residues and impacts nitrogen cycling as well. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

September 4, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a critical number to know when planning for both cover crops and cash crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. The C:N ratio affects decomposition rates for crop residues and impacts nitrogen cycling as well. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Understanding Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios & Cover Crops

September 4, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a critical number to know when planning for both cover crops and cash crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. The C:N ratio affects decomposition rates for crop residues and impacts nitrogen cycling as well. Understanding the C:N ratio helps growers be better managers in the context of overall soil health and fertilizer use. Groff shares why this often-overlooked aspect is critical to making good decisions when growing covers.

[Video] Planting Directly Into Cover Crops

September 3, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Jeff Frey at Future View Farm, farms 700 acres of cash grain, corn, soybeans, wheat and barley, and finishes hogs. He typically plants directly into the cover crop before terminating it, which provides better mulch by letting the cover crop grow longer.

Prepare for Dealing with Hungry Wildlife

By Sarah Hill posted on September 3, 2019

The days are getting shorter and cooler, the leaves are starting to turn, the kids are going back to school — fall is definitely in the air. The changing of the seasons means wildlife will be on the move and storing up for winter. There are steps to take to prevent woodland creatures from adding cover crops to the menu and potentially damaging your soil-building investment, experts say.

Growing Cover Crops After Small Grains

September 3, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Farm Forum

Due to an extremely wet spring and consistent moisture through the summer, grain harvests have slowed down a bit across South Dakota. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (as of Aug 18) only 76% of winter wheat harvest has been completed in the state well behind 95% of five-year average. Similarly, only 27% of spring wheat and 60% of oat are harvested, well behind 75% and 90% five-year average respectively. Read more in this article from Farm Forum.