Soil Health

[Podcast] Making Cover Crops Work in Semi-Arid Environments

Although most growers this year have been dealing with too much rain, there are areas and years when getting a cover crop established and reaping the benefit without draining soil moisture is a challenge.
Although most growers this year have been dealing with too much rain, there are areas and years when getting a cover crop established and reaping the benefit without draining soil moisture is a challenge. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)
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Making Cover Crops Work in Semi-Arid Environments

Although most growers this year have been dealing with too much rain, there are areas and years when getting a cover crop established and reaping the benefit without draining soil moisture is a challenge. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that growers using covers in a low-rainfall area should concentrate on feeding soil biology, keeping the soil cool and improve water management. Executing these ideas will look different for each farmer, but all farmers can aim for diversity of species, keeping something growing in fields year-round and shading fields. Find out more in this week’s podcast. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)



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Drought

Covering Your Assets During Drought

Benjamin Franklin was right on the money about all of us being able to count on death and taxes at some point in time, but he overlooked one other guarantee – drought. Even now, just a few months after certain parts of the country have seen waters recede following unprecedented flooding this spring, the United States Drought Monitor is showing areas of drought pop up in the Pacific Northwest, Corn Belt, Southeast and majority of Texas and Oklahoma. Find out more in this article from Grassland Oregon.
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[Podcast] Understanding Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios & Cover Crops

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a critical number to know when planning for both cover crops and cash crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. The C:N ratio affects decomposition rates for crop residues and impacts nitrogen cycling as well. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)
The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a critical number to know when planning for both cover crops and cash crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. The C:N ratio affects decomposition rates for crop residues and impacts nitrogen cycling as well. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)
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Understanding Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios & Cover Crops

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a critical number to know when planning for both cover crops and cash crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. The C:N ratio affects decomposition rates for crop residues and impacts nitrogen cycling as well. Understanding the C:N ratio helps growers be better managers in the context of overall soil health and fertilizer use. Groff shares why this often-overlooked aspect is critical to making good decisions when growing covers.
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Cover Crops Solve Soil Compaction

Due to the very wet spring in 2019, farmers were forced to work their soil wetter then they prefer to be able to plant their crop. When soils are tilled when wet, soil compaction will occur. When soils are compacted they are less productive and less healthy. Compacted soils have less pore space, and that means that plant roots might not be able to 'breathe,‘ and both root development and nutrient uptake are restricted.
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Cash crops and cover crops

Growers Trying Out Triple Threat of Cash Crops, Cover Crops & Companion Crops

The use of cover crops within a rotation is commonplace for many producers, given the soil health benefits. Some producers are moving toward utilizing companion crops, planting a cover crop with a cash crop and allowing them to grow simultaneously. For livestock producers, having forage available to graze earlier, can be a benefit itself. Find out more about growing these two types of crops together in this article from The Fence Post.
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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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