Soil Health

Healthier Soils Promoted by Carbon Markets

Farmers are decreasing their tillage intensity and are now considering ways to capture soil carbon for payment which may require they move to towards regenerative practices like no-till and cover crops. Tillage breaks up soil aggregates and loses carbon dioxide to the atmosphere within 5-10 minutes; while long-term no-till with cover crops starts the slow process of recovering lost carbon. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.
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Legume Cover Crops Means Less Fertilizer Needed

For corn, using dairy manure and legume cover crops in crop rotations can reduce the need for inorganic nitrogen fertilizer and protect water quality, but these practices also can contribute to emissions of nitrous oxide — a potent greenhouse gas. Read more in this story from the Altoona Mirror (Altoona, PA).
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Solution for Soil Erosion

The images coming out of the Upper Midwest and High Plains region of the U.S. this spring are reminiscent of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Relentless wind coupled with dry conditions have led to severe soil erosion, and the situation was made worse in areas lacking cover crops. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.
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[Video] Releasing Nutrients From Cover Crops

In this video, Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Crop Nutrient Specialist with Kansas State University, explains why producers should pay attention to nutrient release as part of their crop nutrient management. Crop residue, he says, protects soil from erosion and contribute to soil organic matter.
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Nutrient Deficiencies and Slug Issues

Summer has officially arrived and nutrient deficiencies and pests are now a problem in many fields.  Healthy plants have fewer problems with disease and insects, according to soil specialist Jim Hoorman, so optimum plant nutrition is important for keeping pests at bay and optimizing crop yields. 
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[Podcast] Cover Crops Good Alternative to Fallow Fields in Dryland Systems

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Augustine Obour, a soil scientist with Kansas State University. Obour will discuss using cover crops for soil health and forage in dryland systems, how cover crops use moisture in dryland growing systems, which cover crop species work best in arid climates, and more.
This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Augustine Obour, a soil scientist with Kansas State University. Obour will discuss using cover crops for soil health and forage in dryland systems, how cover crops use moisture in dryland growing systems, which cover crop species work best in arid climates, and more.
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[Podcast] Rain is Like a Bomb Going Off on the Soil Surface

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Jason Mallard, an Ag and Natural Resources Agent with University of Georgia Extension. Mallard will discuss the difference between water infiltration and percolation, how cover crops improve water quality, how cover crops protect the soil, and more.
This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Jason Mallard, an Ag and Natural Resources Agent with University of Georgia Extension. Mallard will discuss the difference between water infiltration and percolation, how cover crops improve water quality, how cover crops protect the soil, and more.
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[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.
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.
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The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 9-12, 2024! Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 32nd Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Ind. Jan. 9-12, 2024. Experience an energizing 4-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led No-Till Classrooms and collaborative No-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.

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