Cover crop utilization on cropland gained momentum during the period of high commodity prices, but adoption has slowed as producers are identifying opportunities to reduce production costs. Cover crops certainly have their place and the expense of planting, which includes the time required and capital investment, should be valued against soil loss and the overall cost of erosion in terms of decreased productivity. Read more in this article from the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY).

On Aug. 10, 2020, farmers in central Iowa experienced one of the worst natural disasters to ever affect agriculture. The 2020 derecho event flattened and destroyed corn fields in at least 36 counties. Read more in this article from the Globe-Gazette (Mason City, IA).

The benefits of planting cover crop mixtures include the potential for additional nutrients to the subsequent cash crop, improved livestock feed and improved soil health, among other benefits. Farmers adopting multispecies cover crops are also interested in learning about the yield response of the crop planted following a cover crop. Read more in this article from the University of Nebraska.

Many farmers planted a full season cover crop on their prevented planting acres or are out there now planting a winter annual, like cereal rye. This is a great management approach because you’ve either managed water in those fields similar to what you would have done with a cash crop or you will be managing water next spring with cereal rye planted this fall. Read more in this article from AgWeek.

The dry conditions throughout large areas of Iowa during 2020 reminds us of Iowa’s last significant drought in 2012 and the subsequent impacts on nitrate-N levels in subsurface drainage the following spring. There is a risk of elevated fall soil nitrate levels due to dry conditions this growing season. Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD).

The 2020 summer was hotter and drier than normal for most farms, so herbicide carryover will be a major issue for planting cover crops. Herbicides degrade based on soil temperature, rainfall, time of application, organic matter, soil type, soil pH, and sunlight. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Mike Witt, a field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension. Witt discusses several areas of cover crop research, including comparing 30 and 60-inch rows, interseeding cover crops, weed suppression, and grazing cover crops.

Due to popular demand, the editors of Cover Crop Strategies are pleased to present a fall edition of the National Cover Crop Summit. This free, 2-day virtual event on Nov. 17-18 will feature 6 sessions sharing ideas, tips and information from crop industry experts and growers who have experience using cover crops to maximize economic and soil-health building benefits.

Diversifying crop rotations can offer significant positive results, improving soil health and boosting biological activity and nutrient cycling. Cronin Farms, a no-till operation based near Gettysburg, S.D., has crop rotations down to a science, including forages and cover crops.

If you pick up just about any farm publication there are typically several articles that talk about soil health. Many times, these articles talk about adding cover crops and livestock into cropping systems to improve the soil. Read more in this article from the Dodge City Daily Globe (Dodge City, KS).