John Dobberstein

Making Cover Crops Work in a Cooler No-Till Climate

Iowa no-tiller Roger Harrington has seen his share of challenges with covers, but has found a combination that saves soil, adds nitrogen and reduces erosion and weed pressure.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 18, 2015

Like many no-tillers, Roger Harrington likes seeding cover crops to improve organic matter, fix nitrogen (N) in the soil and reduce erosion, weed pressure and compaction.

8 Keys to Help No-Tillers Manage Annual Ryegrass

No-tillers just starting to use annual ryegrass should follow a few simple rules to take advantage of this cover crop’s compaction-busting, nitrogen-scavenging benefits.

By John Dobberstein posted on February 12, 2015 | Posted in Seeding Practices

With its prolific root system and economical price tag, annual ryegrass is one of the most popular cover crops no-tillers have at their disposal. It’s also gotten a bad rap for being tough to manage, says Dan Towery.

Clover, Cereal Rye Enhance No-Tiller’s 3-Year Rotation

Iowa no-tiller Joe Kriegel uses cereal rye and frost-seeded red clover in a rotation with corn and soybeans to reduce erosion, improve soil fertility and rescue heavily tilled fields.

By John Dobberstein posted on February 12, 2015 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Sometimes Joe Kriegel cringes when he drives past farms in his county and sees erodible hilltops that have been worked.

A Matter Of Perspective

By John Dobberstein posted on December 11, 2014 | Posted in Seeding Practices

As I've pointed out previously, there's a lot of conflicting research when it comes to the effects of cover crops in farm regions where annual moisture is limited, especially around the issue of water use by covers.

Cover Crops Key to Storing More Soil Organic Carbon

No-till practices alone may not sequester as much organic carbon in soil profiles as previously thought, but seeding cover crops could help rebuild it, says University of Illinois researcher Ken Olson.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 18, 2014 | Posted in Soil Health

Ken Olson doesn't dispute that no-till can sequester organic carbon in the soil, or provide numerous other benefits to farmers.

Sticking With No-Till, Covers Protects Yields And Waterways

Split nitrogen applications and cover crops are helping Iowa grower Ed Ulch improve his long-term no-till operation while enhancing the protection of local waterways.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2014

When Ed Ulch took the plunge with no-till during the 1970s, his main goals were economic: cut trips across the field, reduce expenses and hold the line on yields.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Turning to No-Till and Cover Crops

By John Dobberstein posted on August 21, 2014

A group of stakeholders believes increased adoption of no-till and cover crops could reduce sedimentation problems in a Kansas watershed and help a nuclear power plant operate more efficiently.

Rotations, Double-Cropping Key Profitable No-Till Makeover

Oklahoma no-tiller Preston Simic is rejuvenating stagnant wheat ground by protecting it with residue, fixing fertility issues and diversifying crop rotations.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2014 | Posted in Soil Health

For many farmers, the decision to adopt no-till practices often comes down to economics.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Stay Tuned On Covers, Summerfallow

By John Dobberstein posted on April 24, 2014

If you carry crop insurance and have considered seeding cover crops on your summerfallowed acres, do your homework this spring before hauling out that drill or air seeder.

USDA Updates Rules on Cover Crop Termination

By John Dobberstein posted on April 22, 2014 | Posted in Termination

The USDA's Risk Management Agency recently updated its "Frequently Asked Questions" section regarding crop insurance rules as they pertain to cover crops.