Cover crops - Articles

Use Cover Crops to Help Save Fertilizer

April 1, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Although I try not to pitch cover crops as some magic bullet for cost saving, my experience shows that the answer to the question — “Do cover crops pay?” — is a resounding yes. Often, we tend to focus on the potential for increased cash crop yields, and that may indeed occur, but probably not every season. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

Cover Crops Part of Horizon Organic’s Carbon Positive Goal

By Sarah Hill posted on March 31, 2020

If you have looked in the dairy case at all in your local grocery store, you can’t miss Horizon Organic, with its bright red cartons and cartoon cow. The world’s largest certified organic dairy brand is now looking to use cover crops, crop rotation and reduced tillage to offset more carbon than is produced by its organic dairy farmer members.

[Podcast] Make More Green with Covers by Planting Green

In this week's podcast, fifth generation farmer Rick Clark from Indiana shares tips on planting green, a practice he's been using for the past 8 years.

March 30, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

In this week's podcast, fifth generation farmer Rick Clark from Indiana shares tips on planting green, a practice he's been using for the past 8 years.

[Podcast] Earthworms: Unsung Heroes of the Soil

Seeing earthworms is one of the hallmarks of healthy soil, but Paul Reed Hepperly says that their role is much broader than previously thought.

March 24, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Seeing earthworms is one of the hallmarks of healthy soil, but Paul Reed Hepperly says that their role is much broader than previously thought.

Tips on Cover Crop Termination

March 20, 2020 | Posted in Termination

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

The 2019 growing season came and went and left many fields in a state of disarray heading into 2020. Many growers that were unable to plant decided to use cover crops, to reduce soil erosion and provide some weed suppression during the extended fallow period. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

[Podcast] Untreated Seed Can Reduce Pest Pressure

Many growers use treated seed to kill pests, but Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says there are valid reasons to consider planting untreated cover crop seed. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

March 19, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Many growers use treated seed to kill pests, but Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says there are valid reasons to consider planting untreated seed. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Cover Crops an Influential Practice for 2020

March 18, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

As farmers are preparing for the 2020 cropping season, the challenges of 2019 may still linger. There are basically three scenarios which will influence 2020 cropping practices. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Iowa Farmers Use Covers, Crop Rotations to Build Soil Health

March 18, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Aberdeen News

Thirty-four years ago, a challenging harvest led Brian Hora, 57, to no-till farming. “It was an extremely wet fall. Heavy snow fell before we could get everything out. So, we had to finish up harvest in the spring,” explains the sixth-generation Iowa farmer. Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News.

Cover Crops, Other Soil Health Practices Can Help You Be Ready for Change

By Sarah Hill posted on March 17, 2020

Would you like to be less stressed? Have more fun? No, the answer is not buying a cheap plane ticket to a tropical destination. But a recent survey of South Dakota farmers and ranchers found that growers who use practices that improve soil health experienced less stress, were more satisfied with farming and are more optimistic about the future.

[Video] Can Cover Crops Help Farmers Deal with Extreme Weather

March 17, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Chris Kucharik, Professor of Agronomy & Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin, discusses what weather trends he's seeing and how they could impact farmers, what additional rainfall levels will mean for growers, and how cover crops can play a role.