Seeding Practices

Cutting Expenses with No-Till Grain, Vegetables

Cory Atkins is experimenting with no-till, cover crops and precision technology on a variety of crops for higher profits and efficiency.

By Ian Gronau posted on October 29, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cory Atkins is a rare example of a young, first generation commercial farmer in an aging and family-centric industry. Although he grew up on a hobby farm with a roadside market and was tutored by an uncle who farms, he has taken it upon himself to obtain a production agriculture degree and expand the acres under his management.

Cereal Rye Suitability for Roller Crimping, No-Till Applications

October 20, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Iowa State University Extension

The Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station assessed five cereal rye cultivars for their anthesis timing, biomass production and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios.

How to Determine Your Ideal Seeding Rate for Cereal Rye

September 19, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Penn State Extension

Penn State Extension recommends growers review whether the 2-bushels-per-acre seeding rate is the appropriate rate for seeding their cereal rye cover crop, based on their goals.

Seeding Covers, Ending Tillage Guides Challenging No-Till Transition

For Keith Mayberry, cutting trips across the field and keeping soils covered has reduced his need for irrigation and slashed his farm’s annual fuel budget.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 17, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

A perfect storm, of sorts, convinced Keith Mayberry it was time to change how he raised his crops.

Corn and Soybean Herbicides and Rotation to Cover Crops

September 15, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Source: Penn State University Extension

Farmers considering cover crop seeding and establishment this fall should remember that some herbicides can persist and potentially influence successful cover crop establishment, says Penn State University Extension.

Strip-Till Operational Benchmark Study

Cover Cropping, Twin-Row Strip-Till Continue to Rise

More than 50% of benchmark respondents utilize cover crops, while the percent of strip-tillers planting twin rows has more than doubled.

By Jack Zemlicka posted on July 30, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

As strip-tillers search for efficient, economical ways to retain moisture and nutrients in their soils, an increasing number are turning to cover crops. Analysis of the 3rd Annual Strip-Till Operational Benchmark Study revealed another uptick in their use.

Opening the Door to Change Sparks No-Tilling Success

Steve Tucker sees a profitable future for his no-till operation with a commitment to cropping diversity and keeping soils covered.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 30, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing

Steve Tucker still remembers driving around on the farm with his grandfather and hearing him say, “I should hope you never have to go through something like the 1930s and the drought that I went through.”

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Rejuvenating Acres and Ramping Up Soil Productivity

No-till is just one component of the system Dan DeSutter is using to break up compaction, store water, increase organic matter and improve yields.

By Dan DeSutter and Martha Mintz posted on July 30, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

My dad gets the credit for taking the initial steps of reducing tillage on our farm, but I can probably take some credit for pushing us into a full no-till system. And I do mean system, because no-till is just the tiny tip of the very large iceberg that is our farm management strategy today.

Interseeding Tools Get Cover Crops Off to Faster Start

No-tillers can avoid the mad rush to get cover crops seeded after harvest by planting them into standing cash crops.

By Laura Barrera posted on July 30, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

One of the most common challenges no-tillers encounter with cover crops is at the very start — getting them seeded. Interseeding — the practice of seeding covers with a drill, spinner spreader, toolbar or sprayer into an established and growing cash crop — may provide a solution.