Soil health

Iowa Operation Enhances Soil Health with Cover Crops

November 22, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Aberdeen News

A long-time no-tiller, Bo Fox, Monona County, Iowa, has expanded his crop management from no-tilling corn and soybeans to including crop rotations with small grains, cover crops, and livestock grazing of cover crops. While Bo has experimented with cover crops in the past, he recently worked with USDA’s NRCS to obtain planning and financial assistance to grow a diverse cover crop mix suitable for spring livestock grazing.

[Podcast] Cover Crops Can Heal the Soil

Soils plagued with compaction, aggregation and/or poor water infiltration don’t have to be that way forever. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff explains how cover crops can help to improve the soil through a process including evaluation, soil testing and strategic planning for that soil. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

November 13, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Soils plagued with compaction, aggregation and/or poor water infiltration don’t have to be that way forever. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff explains how cover crops can help to improve the soil through a process including evaluation, soil testing and strategic planning for that soil. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Adding Livestock to Crop Systems Improves Soil Health

November 12, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: South Dakota State University Extension

In the last 100 years, many producers have become specialized and highly efficient at producing specific crops or livestock. This has helped to meet demand as the global population continues to grow. Find out how cover crops fit into a crop system with livestock.

Keep the Stubble — and the Covers

By Sarah Hill posted on November 11, 2019

Have you ever participated in No Shave November? Maybe you have, unintentionally, or by choice. Now, there’s a new reason to “keep the stubble” during the month of November.

Tackle the Tough Conversations on Cover Crops

By Sarah Hill posted on October 28, 2019

Although many of you are probably still wrapping up harvest, it isn’t too early to start thinking ahead and planning for next year’s growing season. If you’re wanting to plant cover crops on rented ground next year, this is an ideal time to have a conversation with your landlord about what you’re planning to do and why.

Greatest Soil Health Benefits Come From No-Till, Cover Crop Combo

October 28, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

For the last several years, many farmers have been adopting practices to improve the “soil health” of their fields. Often this includes no-till or reduced tillage, and the introduction of cover crops. While the basic soil health concept is relatively uniform, the way the practices are implemented is often very different from operation to operation. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

No-Till, Cover Crops Key to Building Healthy Soil

October 23, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: York News Times

On a windy autumn day, Dan Leininger, a water conservationist with the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District, stands in a field of ripe soybeans on the northeast side of York, Neb. While the beans are impressive, Leininger gets down on one knee to show what he’s most proud of. Find out more in this article from the York News-Times.

Soil, Cover Crops Key to Saving Family Farms

October 21, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Yes Magazine

Would it sound too good to be true if I was to say that there was a simple, profitable and underused agricultural method to help feed everybody, cool the planet, and revitalize rural America? I used to think so, until I started visiting farmers who are restoring fertility to their land, stashing a lot of carbon in their soil, and returning healthy profitability to family farms. Read more in this article from Yes magazine.

[Podcast] Using Soil Health Tests

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that in the past 5-10 years, soil health testing has grown in popularity, but they aren’t a silver bullet for detecting all soil health problems. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

October 16, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that in the past 5-10 years, soil health testing has grown in popularity, but they aren’t a silver bullet for detecting all soil health problems. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Using Soil Health Tests

October 16, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that in the past 5-10 years, soil health testing has grown in popularity, but they aren’t a silver bullet for detecting all soil health problems. In this podcast, learn about the different types of soil tests available, what they can measure and why each one is important.