NRCS

Biden's Proposed Budget Plan Would Make Cover Crop Pilot Programs Permanent

March 14, 2023 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Economics

The Biden administration released a $6.8 trillion budget proposal last week that could propel more farmers toward cover crops and other conservation agriculture practices if approved.

NASS Survey: Confidence, Benefits Exceeding Cost Motivate Cover Cropping

By Brian O'Connor posted on November 1, 2022 | Posted in Economics

A recent survey of 34,000 U.S. producers found that about 59% are using cover crops on an average of 40% of their acres.

Iowa Will Continue $5 per Acre Cover Crop Insurance Discount

October 12, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Economics

Source: Center For Rural Affairs

This is the sixth year this program will be offered in the state of Iowa. To date, 1,800 farmers have enrolled nearly one million acres of Iowa farmland in the program.

This Week

Cover Crop Strategies' Best of the Web: Sept. 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

Cover Crop Strategies editors encounter a variety of articles, social media posts, podcasts and videos that offer a unique look at various aspects of our great agricultural industry. Here is our favorite content from the past week. The Best of the Web This Week series is brought to you by Salford Group.

USDA Announces New Opportunities to Improve Nutrient Management

August 22, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health, Economics

Source: USDA

NRCS will target funding, increasing program flexibilities, launch a new outreach campaign to promote nutrient management’s economic benefits, in addition to expanding partnerships to develop nutrient management plans. This is part of USDA’s broader effort to address future fertilizer availability and cost challenges for U.S. producers.

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.

$2.6 Million in Grants will Support Planting Covers on 500,000 Acres

May 24, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Grants have been awarded to the nonprofit groups American Farmland Trust, Ducks Unlimited, the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Proper Soil Care, Grazing Practices Can Help Manage Drought

April 6, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

South Dakota’s drought is bad and getting worse. And a new, long-range forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers little hope for green pastures ahead. West central rancher Dan Rasmussen says the drought is going to hurt, no matter what, but offers advice on how to prepare for the challenge ahead.

Tips on Using Cover Crops After a Drought

March 7, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

Source: South Dakota Soil Health Coalition

With dry conditions still covering much of the Great Plains and upper Midwest, many growers have turned to cover crops to improve the water use efficiency and improve water infiltration rates and water storage capacity on their land. But careful management is key, says the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.