cereal rye

Cover Crops

When Is the Best Time to Terminate Cereal Rye to Suppress Weeds & Protect No-Till Soybean Yield?

1st year of research shows that between 7-14 days after soybean emergence, rye increases weed suppression by 5.3% per day but hurts yield by about ½ bushel per day

By Michaela Paukner posted on April 24, 2024 | Posted in Termination

74% of the farmers who responded to the 2024 Cover Crops Operational Practices Survey say cover crops provide at least some level of weed suppression in their fields.

Why Don't More Farmers No-Till & Plant Cover Crops?

February 24, 2024 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Farm Progress

Get 10, 100 or 1,000 farmers together who believe no-till and cover crops are the right way to farm. This question will come up: How can we get more people to change their attitudes about no-till and cover crops?

New Study Measures Economic Impact of Cover Crops Ahead of Soybeans

January 25, 2024 | Posted in Economics

Source: University of Illinois

"The use of cover crops in modern Midwest corn-soybeans systems is in its infancy. However, strides are being made to make cover crops an economical part of agriculture."

Cover Crop Tips from Strip-Tillers, No-Tillers & Researchers

Management strategies, termination times & seed mixtures are all important aspects of a successful plan

December 6, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Source: Nebraska Farmer

It may have taken a “double-dog dare” for Oklahoma no-tiller Jimmy Emmons to try different crops and different cover crops in his rotation, but many of those experiments have paid big dividends in what Emmons calls “wow” moments.

Fine Tuning Cereal Rye Seeding Rates: Cash vs. Cover Crop

September 25, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Source: PennState Extension

When planting green, consider using seeding rates in the 30 to 60 lb/ac range to target soil health, soil conservation, and weed management goals.

Drought Management

How Cover Cropping Can Help Your Operation Survive Drought Conditions

June 8, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Struggling with drought? Find practical solutions using no-till and cover crops with the help of our recommended articles from No-Till Farmer and Cover Crop Strategies.

Spring Burndown Considerations: Air Temps & Herbicide Efficacy

April 28, 2023 | Posted in Termination

Source: Purdue University

In the Spring, growers may experience challenges when controlling winter annuals weeds or terminating cover crops with glyphosate-based burndown herbicide programs, specifically when glyphosate is sprayed in cool, cloudy weather conditions.

Planting Green: Do Higher Cover Crop Seeding Rates Improve Weed Suppression?

By Teala Ficks posted on April 14, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Grow

The idea that increasing cover crop seeding rates will increase the cover crop’s biomass and weed suppressive benefits is a popular assumption.

Pull the Plug on Planting Green if Weather is Unseasonably Warm?

April 13, 2023

Source: Penn State Extension

Research from Penn State and other institutions shows that planting green significantly dries the top three inches in the soil profile compared to planting into cover crops killed a week or more pre-plant, because the growing cover crop transpires and draws water out of the root zone.

WATCH: Longtime No-Tiller Uses Old Feed Grinder to Blend Cover Crops

By Noah Newman posted on February 24, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Jeff Duling's creativity is on full display in this video, as the longtime no-tiller explains how he uses an old feed grinder to blend cover crop seeds.