Weeds are the enemy of every farmer, and those growers who plant cover crops are no exception. However, cover crops can be part of the management strategy to overcome weeds that have become resistant to herbicides, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. In this week’s podcast, Groff explains which weeds are the worst offenders, how weed types change on the farm, and more.

In this week’s podcast, Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff explains which weeds are the worst offenders, how weed types change on the farm, and more. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

It’s not often that we think about what happens to the soil in the field. To be honest, that topsoil is probably the component that is most taken for granted in a cropping system of any kind. So, what happens when we lose any of that precious soil to wind or water erosion?

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.

Al Schafbuch said Iowa farmers are moving too slowly in adopting conservation practices that would help improve the quality of the state's rivers, streams and lakes. With only about 7% of Iowa farmland planted in cover crops, "it will take 100 years to get this done," Schafbuch said. "We can't wait 100 years."

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.

Healthy crops begin with healthy soil, and researchers with the Clemson University’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program are teaching farmers how they can benefit from keeping their soils fit. The researchers teamed up with other agricultural professionals and farmers who have implemented soil-health principles by using cover crops, no-till and livestock integration to hold a conference to teach about soil health and tools to use to promote healthy soil.

In Idaho, growers have sought assistance from University of Idaho Extension on rotating cover crops in as an annual crop and interseeding approaches that allow the cover crops to grow along with the cash crop, reports the Tri-State Livestock News.