erosion control

Census Data Shows Number of Farmers Using Cover Crops for Soil Health is Growing

By Chris Hardie posted on April 23, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Wisconsin State Farmer

The lifeblood of any farmer is the soil that provides their livelihood, so taking care of it has to be a top priority.

Study on Cover Crop Mixtures Delivers Surprising Results

By Johannes Seiler posted on October 27, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Phys.org

Farmers usually plant cover crops after harvesting their main crop. This prevents erosion of the soil and nutrient leaching. The roots of these crops also stabilize the structure of the soil. It had been assumed that a mixture of different cover crops would result in particularly intensive rooting.

On-Farm Trials Show Cover-Cropped Fields Sequester 3 Times More Carbon

On-farm trials in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska [1] were net-carbon negative [2], cut erosion in half

December 14, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Initial findings across over 2,400 acres in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska demonstrate positive trends for the implementation of cover crops at field scale as compared to conventional management practices.

Cover Rates

Cover Croppers Increase, but not for Carbon Control

October 25, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Economics

Source: Ag Funder News

The number of farms in the US planting cover crops is rising. In September 2020, 40% of farms surveyed for the Purdue University/CME Ag Economy Barometer said they intended to plant cover crops that fall. In September 2022, that number jumped to 57%.

Nebraska Farmer Uses Cover Crops to Combat Extreme Weather

June 9, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: York News Times

Matt Grosshans turned to the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) and the NRCS for help with funding and planting cover crops. He planted 350 acres of rye after corn and soybeans in fall 2021.

Add Trees to Cover Crops for More Carbon Farming

April 22, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: Popular Science

Anecdotally, the United States Department of Agriculture sees a tiny but growing number of silvopasture farms, while other methods that suck greenhouse gases from the air—collectively known as carbon farming—are experiencing greater resurgences. Cover crops, typically sown in the offseason and left in fields to decompose, are also rising in popularity. Read more in this article from Popular Science magazine.

Decomposing Cover Crops Create Quite a Stir

December 27, 2019 | Posted in Termination

Source: The Republic (Columbus, IN)

Sniff! Up in the air. It’s smelly cabbage. It’s rotten eggs. It’s sewer-gas! All three of those guesses were posted on social media regarding the origin of a mysterious strong and pungent smell in some rural areas of Bartholomew County, Indiana. Turns out, it was just radishes planted as cover crops that were decomposing.

Frank Comments

Even Though They’re Among Ag’s Latest ‘Buzz Words,’ Cover Crops Offer a Soil-Building Strategy that No-Tillers Have Cashed in on for Several Decades

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 28, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

While less than 2% of America’s cropland is seeded to cover crops, a remarkable 77% of no-tillers enjoy the many benefits offered by protecting the soil over the winter months.

Recovering Soil Health with Cover Crops

August 16, 2017 | Posted in Soil Health

Rich Collins, of Collins Farm in Dixon, Calif., discusses his use of cover crops in restoring soil health and his participation in the California Farm Demonstration Network.

New Field Guide Helps Farmers Choose, Manage Cover Crops

March 11, 2012

Source: Purdue University

Farmers interested in planting cover crops to improve soil health can now find information and tips in a new pocket guide produced by the Midwest Cover Crops Council and Purdue University.