Soil health - Articles

Prevent Plant Encourages Soil Microbial Activity

February 21, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: AgriNews

David Mowers, agronomic consultant for AIM for the Heartland and Nitrogen Pulse, talks about the past and upcoming growing seasons and the impact of cover crops in this Q&A from AgriNews.

5 Principles of Soil Health to Increase Productivity

February 19, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Grainews

Jay Fuhrer, soil health specialist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the USDA, spoke about soil health. Fuhrer has identified five principles of soil health, and how they work to improve soil health and increase productivity. Fuhrer defined soil health is defined as “the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.” Read more in this article from Grainews.

Ag Groups Discuss Barriers to Soil Health

February 17, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Mid-Hudson News

Attendees included farm organizations, farmers, environmentalist groups, experts from Cornell University, the Department of Agriculture, plus representatives from the Soil Health Institute, New York Farm Bureau, Northeast Organic Farming Association, the New York State Vegetable Growers Association, and American Farmland Trust. Participants in the roundtable discussed their own efforts to improve soil health, as well as some of the barriers they’re facing. Find out more in this article from the Mid-Hudson News (Newburgh, NY).

Impact of Surfactants on Water Conservation, Soil Health

February 14, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Las Cruces Sun News

The surfactants being used are chemically very similar to dishwashing soap and are listed in the same chemical group. But dishwashing soap is known to be toxic to plants, therefore chemical surfactants have been modified to be used frequently without the detrimental impact on grass. Find out more in this article from the Las Cruces Sun News (Las Cruces, NM).

Vegetable Growers Also Need to Focus on Soil Health

February 10, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Growing Produce

The importance of soil health and its role in the future of sustainable agriculture has been a topic of much discussion. While specialty crop growers understand the importance of healthy soils, much of the research on the topic has been dedicated to row crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton. But that’s changing, and more emphasis is being placed on soil health in fruit and vegetable production. Read more in this article from Growing Produce.

Utah Farmers Try Cover Crops

February 10, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Journal

Planting cover crops instead of fallowing fields may boost soil health, but farmers shouldn’t expect their efforts to work immediately. Cover crops also increase costs. That was the takeaway from a workshop presented by the Southwestern Colorado Research Center and attended by more than 60 farmers and ranchers Monday in Dove Creek, Utah, at the Public Service Center. Read more about farmers' experiences in this article from The Journal (Cortez, CO).

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?

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.

[Video] Improving Soil Through Cover Crops

December 30, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Grain farmer Jeff Frey has used no-till on his 700-acre farm in Willow Street, Penn., since the 1980s. Despite these efforts, Frey knew he needed to do more to protect his soil from erosion.

[Video] No-Till Planting Into Rye

December 23, 2019 | Posted in Termination

If you are planning to plant into a rye cover crop, it's best to wait to do so until 10 days after spraying the cover crop, according to Kevin Shelley with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Nutrient & Pest Management Program.