Soil health - Articles

Don’t Miss the Opportunities Offered by Covers

By Sarah Hill posted on December 23, 2019

What other opportunities do we miss in the agriculture industry, and in life, because on the surface, they may not look like they are worth taking? Cover crops are a perfect example.

More Minnesota Farmers Planting Cover Crops

December 17, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

When the earthworms started coming back, Tim Little knew he was doing something right. Little, who farms north of Faribault, Minnesota, saw more worms in his fields, gathering piles of dead plants above their holes, after he made a drastic departure from farming tradition.

[Video] Cover Crops After Corn Silage

December 10, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

In this video, find out what to look for when conducting evaluations in the field to compare soil that has a cover crop to soil without covers, including soil architecture and earthworm populations. Also, learn how to conduct a simple soil "pop" test.

A Lot at Stake with Cover Crop Adoption

By Sarah Hill posted on December 9, 2019

The state of Illinois recently released their biennial Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Report. The state has struggled with nutrient pollution in waterways and utilizing covers has been identified as a method for mitigating nutrient runoff. The problem lies in the rate of cover crop adoption. According to the report, it will be 200 years before Illinois will plant enough cover crops to make a significant reduction in nutrient runoff.

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.