Weed control

Cover Crops Effective for Weed Control

March 15, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Planting cover crops can be an effective weapon in the battle against weeds. There is a learning curve, however. Read more in this article from Southern Minnesota magazine.

Hedging Your Long-Term Weed Control Bets to Reduce Herbicide Reliance

No-tiller and crop consultant Jon Spreng, Perrysville, Ohio, says the biggest challenge to combining no-till and cover crops is finding a permanent weed control solution.

By Sarah Hill posted on March 10, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Herbicides alone aren’t going to be enough to control weeds in the long run, says Jon Spreng, a no-tiller and crop consultant from Perrysville, Ohio. The current herbicide choices available on the market may last 10-30 years, but unless new active ingredients come along, the fourth-generation grower says he believes that weed resistance will only get worse.

Cover Crops as Alternative Weed Control

February 15, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: North Carolina State University

Cover crop use was steadily rising on farms in the early 2000s, with 60% of corn growers reporting their use. But in recent years consistency has wavered. Read more in this article from North Carolina State University.

[Video] Managing Weeds When Soil is Very Wet

December 4, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Hear from a group of South Dakota growers and how they manage the challenges with hitting a spraying window, timing of applying weed control chemicals when soils are saturated, if weeds should be considered as a cover crop in some situations, and more.

Cover Crops for Weed Control

September 30, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: SARE

High biomass cover crops are effective in controlling weeds in vegetable production, while contributing to higher produce yields, Auburn University researchers have found. In addition, pre-emergence herbicide applications can be eliminated from weed management programs in the presence of heavy residues from cover crop mixtures. Read more in this article from the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program.

Choose Your Cover Crop Species with Care

By Sarah Hill posted on January 20, 2020

Each crop year is different, and there will be various reasons influencing the decision of what cover crops to use — the amount of biomass you want produced, your preferred method of cover crop termination, weed control, and more. You have to choose cover crops that are best for your operation, the weather, soil conditions and cash crops.

Perennial Cover Crop Mixtures Make Great Forage for Cattle

The Saskatchewan Forage Council has created a resource for cattle producers on successful perennial pastures.

May 31, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing, Soil Health

Source: Canadian Cattlemen

Traditional annuals and cocktail cover crop mixtures can make great forage for cattle on a temporary basis, but over the long haul a good stand of perennial pasture may be the best choice, according to Lorne Klein, range management extension specialist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture at Weyburn.

From the Desk of Frank Lessiter

Covers Keep Weeds in Check

By Frank Lessiter posted on April 25, 2019

When growers talk about the benefits of cover crops, the talk normally centers around erosion control, keeping nutrients in the field, improving soil quality and trimming fertilizer purchases. But effective weed control is another benefit.

How Much Cover Crop Growth is Needed For Weed Control?

January 23, 2019

Researchers in Nebraska share the results of Corn Belt studies on weed control with cover crops as the state investigates covers as a tool to protect fields.