Seeding Practices

Purdue Ag Economy Barometer Finds That Most Growers Still New to Using Cover Crops

Out of 400 large-acreage growers surveyed, 41% are currently seeding covers on their operations.

By Sarah Hill posted on October 7, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

The practice of using cover crops still has plenty of room for growth, according to the results of the August Purdue Ag Economy Barometer. Forty-one percent of growers with production of more than $500,000 annually said they are currently using cover crops, while 65% of growers responded that they had either used cover crops in the past or were currently using covers.

USDA Reports 29% of Corn Harvested

October 4, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

USDA reported 29% of corn crops harvested, above the 24% reported harvested by this time in 2020. The 5-year average for corn harvested in this week is 22%.

Considerations When Overseeding Cover Crops

October 4, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Iowa State University Extension

In the last decade, cover crops have grown in both interest and acres, yet there is still room for more adoption across Iowa and the region. It is obvious that cover crops require more management, and that there will undoubtedly be challenges. Read more in this article from Iowa State University Extension.

Setting Tobacco Up for Success

October 1, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Lancaster Farming

If Tim Fritz’s experiments are any indication, the next step in cover crop innovation could be tailoring cover mixes to the needs of the cash crop. Fritz, owner and president of cover crop and forage seed dealer King’s AgriSeeds, started down his current line of research a few years ago when he began working with a German company that was developing complex, cutting-edge strategies for cover cropping. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

USDA Reports 18% of Corn Harvested

September 28, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

USDA reported 18% of corn crops harvested, above the 14% reported harvested by this time in 2020.

Broadcast Covers Into Standing Soybeans

September 22, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Lancaster Farming

The fallow period between soybean harvest and corn planting in a crop rotation is highly vulnerable to sediment and nutrient losses, but soybean harvest is often so late that there isn’t enough time to reliably establish a cover crop. If a cover crop is established, options are typically limited to cereal rye or winter wheat. For many, the financial risk of a failed cover crop stand outweighs the potential benefits. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

USDA Reports 10% of Corn Harvested

September 20, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

USDA reported 10% of corn crops harvested, above the 8% reported harvested by this time in 2020.

Time to Seed Cover Crops

September 17, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: St. Thomas Times-Journal

Each grower has their own reasons for growing a cover crop – whether it’s to improve organic matter, hold onto nutrients from manure, provide a nitrogen credit or protect against erosion. Read more in this article from the St. Thomas Times-Journal (Toronto, Ontario).

Cover Crop Considerations

September 15, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Capital Journal (Pierre, SD)

Now is the time to think about fitting a cover crop into your rotation. There are many different advantages to using cover crops including reducing pest pressures, keeping the soil protected, recycling nutrients, adding organic matter, additional forage opportunities, and more. Read more in this article from the Capital Journal (Pierre, SD).