nutrient runoff

Fall Cover Cropping Leads to Long-Term Nutrient Release into Soil

By Marc Zienkiewicz posted on August 25, 2024 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Source: Seed World

One of the cornerstones of regenerative agriculture is to have plants growing in the soil for as many days of the year as possible. While today’s agronomic practices are predominately based on using annual cash crops, it is an opportunity to get cover cropping into the management fold.

Cover Crops, No-Till Could Help Combat Nutrient Runoff Due to Extreme Rainfall

By Marianne Stein posted on December 19, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Phys.Org

Nutrient runoff from agricultural production is a significant source of water pollution in the U.S., and climate change that produces extreme weather events is likely to exacerbate the problem. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at how extreme rainfall impacts runoff and suggests possible mitigation strategies.

Lack of Funding Blamed for More Growers Not Adopting Covers

By Sarah Hill posted on December 28, 2021

In 2015, the state of Illinois developed a strategy to reduce nutrient runoff that went into the state’s waters — the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS). This plan sought to reduce nitrate-nitrogen (N) loads by 15% and phosphorus (P) loads by 25% by 2025.

Cover Crops Decrease Phosphorus Runoff, But More Herbicides Being Used for Termination

By Sarah Hill posted on June 9, 2021

One of the many benefits of cover crops is they let growers reduce nutrient runoff and help improve water quality in local watersheds. However, in some cases farmers may need to terminate covers and using herbicides is often the go-to method.

Cover Crops Can Help Control Nutrient Runoff

January 8, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgriNews

One way to control runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus is to have a growing crop on the field. “That’s why cover crops are so important,” said Gary Schnitkey, professor at the University of Illinois and U of I Extension farm management specialist.

From the Desk of Laura Barrera

Save Your Nutrients with No-Till, Covers

June 14, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

When it comes to nutrient loss, no-till practices sometimes get the blame. But a study out of Iowa found that tillage also contributes to nutrient runoff.