Nrcs

Proper Soil Care, Grazing Practices Can Help Manage Drought

April 6, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

South Dakota’s drought is bad and getting worse. And a new, long-range forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers little hope for green pastures ahead. West central rancher Dan Rasmussen says the drought is going to hurt, no matter what, but offers advice on how to prepare for the challenge ahead.

Tips on Using Cover Crops After a Drought

March 7, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

Source: South Dakota Soil Health Coalition

With dry conditions still covering much of the Great Plains and upper Midwest, many growers have turned to cover crops to improve the water use efficiency and improve water infiltration rates and water storage capacity on their land. But careful management is key, says the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.

Precise Cover Crop Mixtures, Seeding Rates Improve Outcomes

February 24, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

South Dakota State University study recommends selecting cover crop varieties based on goals, environmental factors for better results.

Winter Cover Crops & Drainage Water Management

January 28, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

With water-level control structures for controlled drainage gaining popularity in farms, some questions about the management practice have surfaced, including this one: How can we effectively utilize both controlled drainage and winter crops? Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

USDA NRCS Announces New EQIP Cover Crop Initiative

January 17, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Source: USDA press release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option, a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative, and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Read more in this press release from NRCS.

[Podcast] Cover Crops After Silage Prevent Erosion

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Amanda Kautz, district conservationist with NRCS. Kautz will discuss why silage is a good opportunity for growers to incorporate covers, how growers ensure good cover crop growth for silage, soil health benefits offered by covers after they’ve been harvested as silage, and more.

August 5, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Amanda Kautz, district conservationist with NRCS. Kautz will discuss why silage is a good opportunity for growers to incorporate covers, how growers ensure good cover crop growth for silage, soil health benefits offered by covers after they’ve been harvested as silage, and more.

[Podcast] Weigh the Factors When Selecting Cover Crops

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Mike Henderson, Iowa State Agronomist with USDA-NRCS. Henderson will discuss how to prioritize cover crop goals when choosing species, which cover crop species can accomplish multiple goals for growers, how management preferences influence cover crop selection and more.

June 4, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Mike Henderson, Iowa State Agronomist with USDA-NRCS. Henderson will discuss how to prioritize cover crop goals when choosing species, which cover crop species can accomplish multiple goals for growers, how management preferences influence cover crop selection and more.

Cover Crop Strategies Survey Data Shows Potential Negative Impact of NRCS Rule Change

April 30, 2021 | Posted in Termination

Data from the 2nd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study — compiled and organized by Cover Crop Strategies — shows a proposed rule change to NRCS conservation technical standards relating to cover crops could have a very negative affect on farmers and ranchers.

[Podcast] Managing Grazing Covers to Maximize Soil Health Benefits

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Colin Walden, Rangeland Management Specialist with NRCS. Walden will discuss the soil health benefits of grazing, how cover crops can be part of a managed grazing program, what practices improve forage cover crops for grazing, and more.

April 20, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Colin Walden, Rangeland Management Specialist with NRCS. Walden will discuss the soil health benefits of grazing, how cover crops can be part of a managed grazing program, what practices improve forage cover crops for grazing, and more.

Proposed NRCS Change to Cover Crop Guidelines Brings Protests

April 14, 2021 | Posted in Termination

An adjustment of conservation standards by the NRCS could prohibit growers from mechanically harvesting cover crops for seed, hay, silage or biomass, potentially hamstringing dairies who rely on covers for additional or emergency forage.