Pennycress, also called “stinkweed” for the odor it gives off when it’s crushed, contains a lot of oil in its seeds, and that oil can be turned into fuel for jets or diesel trucks and cars. Two researchers at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) just began a study to create the most resilient, high-yielding varieties of pennycress for farmers to grow. Read more in this article from The Ohio State University.

Every year we learn more about the soil saving and water quality protecting benefits of cover crops. A cover crop protects the soil surface from erosion. Read more in this article from the Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA).

Named for its coin-shaped, oil-rich seedpods, pennycress has colonized much of the globe as a common weed. But those oily seeds, unsuitable for human consumption, are an ideal crop for biodiesel and jet fuels. Read more in this article from the Washington State University Insider.

Producers, researchers and cover crop experts from GO SEED share the cover crop gifts they are most thankful for.

Newly planted winter camelina seedlings sprout in little green rows at the University of Minnesota field plots on the St. Paul campus. The winter annual plant is one of 15 breeds University researchers are cultivating to help farmers keep nutrients in their soil, reduce erosion and create a commercially viable product for farmers to sell. Read more in this article from The Minnesota Daily.

Cover crop utilization on cropland gained momentum during the period of high commodity prices, but adoption has slowed as producers are identifying opportunities to reduce production costs. Cover crops certainly have their place and the expense of planting, which includes the time required and capital investment, should be valued against soil loss and the overall cost of erosion in terms of decreased productivity. Read more in this article from the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY).

Wrangler announced plans for a new jean that celebrates the benefits of regeneratively grown cotton. Global cotton farmers who can demonstrate and document soil-carbon and biodiversity improvements are invited to apply for their cotton to be purchased for a Wrangler Retro Premium submission as part of The Jeans Redesign project from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF).

Due to popular demand, the editors of Cover Crop Strategies are pleased to present a fall edition of the National Cover Crop Summit. This free, 2-day virtual event on Nov. 17-18 will feature 6 sessions sharing ideas, tips and information from crop industry experts and growers who have experience using cover crops to maximize economic and soil-health building benefits.

In this video from University of Arkansas Extension, grower Adam Chappell, Cotton Plant, AR, who has been using cover crops for 11 years, talks about using covers to control Palmer amaranth, why he covers every acre of his farm with cover crops, his experiences using cereal rye, and more.

Farmers are reporting crop damage from voles (field mice). Oval bare patches and burrows in soybeans or wheat fields indicate voles are present. Read more in this articles from the Delphos Herald (Delphos, OH).