Seeding Practices - Articles

Fertility, Covers, Precision Inputs Form Complete No-Till Package

Bill Murr leverages the soil-building benefits of no-till with strategic nutrient, weed and disease management on his 3,400-acre farm in northeast Kansas.

By Mark Parker posted on January 1, 2014 | Posted in Seeding Practices

It was a simple observation that first set Bill Murr on the no-till path. Corn stalks lying in the field held silt that would otherwise wash away, he noticed.

Ryegrass Seeded Early Into Corn May Be A Cool Climate Tool

Farmers in the province of Quebec seeding annual ryegrass into standing corn at the four- to nine-leaf stage find no yield drag with corn and a yield bump for soybeans.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

For growers in the province of Quebec, getting annual ryegrass seeded early enough to establish and provide cover-crop benefits is a challenge due to the short growing season.

Tips for Making Radishes Part of a Dynamic No-Till System

A great beginner’s cover crop, oilseed radishes can tap into underground nutrients, increase water-infiltration rates and ultimately help boost crop yields.

By Laura Barrera posted on September 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Since he started seeding radishes as cover crops 6 years ago, Illinois no-tiller Daniel Steidinger says higher yields and improved water infiltration are two major benefits he’s seen.

Getting Ready for Cover Crops After Corn Silage

August 4, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: By Sjoerd Duiker, Penn State University

Seeding cover crops after corn silage has many of the benefits, from reducing erosion to enhancing soil quality.

Double Up No-Till Benefits by Cover Cropping for Forage

Cover crops serve up more than just soil benefits. They can boost a no-tiller’s bottom line when used as feed for their livestock, experts say.

By Laura Barrera posted on July 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cover crops are usually touted for their contributions to soil health. But for no-tillers with livestock, covers can provide an immediate benefit to the bottom line by also serving as forage.

Short-Season Corn Hybrids Could Expand Cover-Crop Seeding Window

Recent improvements to early-season corn hybrids could help no-tillers raise 200-bushel crops, seed cover crops earlier and capitalize on price advantages.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

One obstacle to cover-crop adoption in cooler northern climates has been the typically narrow window for getting covers quickly seeded and established after corn harvest to capture benefits to no-till soils.

Companion Cropping Boosts No-Till Profits, Soil Health

Growing double-crop sunflowers with multiple species has reduced inputs and enhanced primary crop health for Kansas no-tillers Robin and Kelly Griffeth.

By Mark Parker posted on June 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Double crop sunflowers planted with companion crops have a triple payoff for Jewell, Kan., no-tillers Robin and Kelly Griffeth.

Second Generation ‘Kover Kroper’ Seeds Covers Quickly, Effectively

The latest high-clearance cover-crop seeder debuting at VanTilburg Farms holds 3,000 pounds of product and can apply cover crops, wheat or urea into standing crops.

By Dan Zinkland posted on March 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

While drilling is one of the best ways to seed and establish cover crops, it sometimes means waiting too long to seed corn and soybean acres.

Unraveling the Mystery of Cover-Crop Seed Quality

No-tillers must sort through the sales hype and learn more about their seed sources to find economical, effective species and varieties that will accomplish their cover-crop goals.

By Mark Parker posted on February 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

As more and more no-tillers embrace cover crops, the production of the seed itself has become a rapidly growing industry in which marketing can sometimes outpace performance.