Soil health - Articles

[Podcast] Wisconsin No-Tiller Tom Burlingham Discusses Impact of Cover Crops

April 6, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

For this episode of the Cover Crop Strategies podcast, brought to you by La Crosse Seed, contributing editor Martha Mintz talks with Wisconsin no-tiller Tom Burlingham about that discovery, and the overall impact cover crops are having on his farm. He tells us what’s working, and what key adjustments to make when something’s not.

Cover Crops More Effective Than Insecticides for Managing Pests, Study Suggests

April 1, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Penn State

Promoting early season plant cover, primarily through the use of cover crops, can be more effective at reducing pest density and crop damage than insecticide applications, according to a Penn State-led team of researchers.

In a newly published study, the researchers suggest that the best pest management outcomes may occur when growers encourage biological control — in the form of pests' natural enemies — by planting cover crops and avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides as much as possible.

Motivation & Challenges in Adopting Soil Health Practices

February 28, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

In 2019-20, Nebraska Healthy Soils Task Force (HSTF) conducted a survey to learn about producers' motivation and challenges in cover crop (CC), nutrient and other soil health management practices across the state. A total of 275 people participated in the survey of which 64.0% (n=176) were producers, 4.7% (n = 13) were landowners, 10.9% (n = 30) were crop consultants, 16.4% (n = 45) were from the university, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and state agencies, and other attendees were 4.0% (n = 11). Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

Small Bytes: Be Careful When Using Cereal Rye

February 16, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

In this audio interview, hear from Anthony Bly, South Dakota State University Soils Field Specialist as he discusses growing cover crops for seed, which cover crop species are best when you're growing covers for seed, and why growers should strive for net profit, not necessarily max yield.

[Video] Cover Crops Impact Soil Health in Semi-Arid Climates

February 7, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

In this video, Dr. Clain Jones, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist with the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University, discusses how such agricultural practices such as cropping systems, cover crops, and nutrient management affect soil health in semi-arid climates. Dr. Jones includes soil health parameters, including soil organic matter, pH, enzyme activities, nitrogen availability, and infiltration rates.

Policy Budget for Cover Crops & the Lesson of Crop Insurance

February 1, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Illinois Extension

Current evidence largely suggests cover crops do not raise yields or returns in the first years of adoption. It is unclear if they will raise returns or lower risk over time. Read more in this article from University of Illinois Farmdoc.

Cover Crops Can Help Farmers Meet Carbon Sequestration Goals

By Sarah Hill posted on January 26, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

The biggest flour miller in the U.S. is looking to shift 250,000 acres of wheat fields to using regenerative agriculture practices, including cover crops by the end of this year. Ardent Mills, the largest North American miller of wheat for flour, is based in Denver, Colo., and wants to improve soil health, water quality, and crop yields while simultaneously trying to keep climate change at bay.

Better Cover Management

January 26, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: KMA Radio

Cover crops are widely seen as one of the most promising conservation practices, improving soil health while also removing carbon from the atmosphere. But while the number of Midwestern farmers planting cover crops has increased markedly in recent years, 2017 USDA Census data show only about 5% have adopted the conservation practice. Read more in this article from KMA Land.

On-farm Research Indicates Importance of Cover Crops for Soil Health

January 24, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

Extending the presence of living vegetative cover to more months of the year through the use of cover crops has several environmental benefits — for example, prevention of soil erosion and nutrient leaching, improvement of soil microbial habitat and weed/pest suppression. But how much does including cover crops on farms improve physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil health? Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

[Podcast] Cover Crops Provide Numerous Benefits in Vineyards

January 21, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Montag Manufacturing, features Tony Wolf, Professor of Viticulture, Virginia Tech University. Wolf will discuss the benefits of cover crops in vineyards, the potential for yield reduction due to cover crop use, using perennials vs. annual cover crops in vineyards, and more.