Cover crops - Articles

Cover Crops Can Work Anywhere

February 27, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff explains how to discuss with skeptical growers on why they should use covers, how to manage a controversial discussion, how economics fit into the conversation and more.

Control Leafminer With Cover Crops

February 26, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Lancaster Farming

Cover crops, row covers, mulches and other tools can help onion growers control one of their worst pests without using insecticides. The allium leafminer, native to Europe, was first discovered in Lancaster County in 2015 and has since expanded across the Mid-Atlantic. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

[Video] Nitrogen & Cover Crops

February 24, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Ricardo Costa, Field Crop Educator with Michigan State University Extension, discusses how cover crops interact with nitrogen, how to choose the right cover crop species for nitrogen fixing or scavenging, examples of each type of cover crops, and more.

Cover Crop Recipes for Post Corn, Post Soybean

February 24, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Wondering how to do cover crops? Ohio State University Extension, in collaboration with the Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC), has produced cover crop “recipes” for two scenarios: Post corn, going to soybean and Post soybean, going to corn.

[Podcast] Negotiating a Lease with Cover Crops

Negotiating with a landlord can be one of the most stressful conversations for a farmer, particularly if the landlord doesn’t show any interest or pushes back against the idea of using cover crops. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

February 21, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Negotiating with a landlord can be one of the most stressful conversations for a farmer, particularly if the landlord doesn’t show any interest or pushes back against the idea of using cover crops. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Prevent Plant Encourages Soil Microbial Activity

February 21, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: AgriNews

David Mowers, agronomic consultant for AIM for the Heartland and Nitrogen Pulse, talks about the past and upcoming growing seasons and the impact of cover crops in this Q&A from AgriNews.

[Video] Selecting Cover Crop Species for a Mixture

February 19, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Monica Jean, Field Crops Educator with Michigan State University Extension, discusses how to choose cover crop species for an effective cover crop mixture. She will explain the best cover crops for growers who are just beginning to use cover crops, how to combine functional groups when choosing cover crop species, and more.

Two States Investing in Cover Crops

February 19, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Civil Eats

Maryland has become a model of cover crop adoption. Indeed, cover crops are now one of the most common, accessible agricultural strategies for improving soil health and water retention and preventing nitrogen pollution in water and erosion—to the benefit of both the environment and the farmer. Read more in this article from Civil Eats.

Talk to Your Landlord About Cover Crops

By Sarah Hill posted on February 18, 2020

How often do you communicate with the landlord about the farm ground you rent? If you’re farming rented ground, it can make a big difference in how you approach decisions, such as cover cropping. For most growers, the question is whether you be profitable while growing cover crops on rented land?

Do Cover Crops Provide Economic Returns?

February 14, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: KMA Radio

An agricultural economist and an agronomist walk into a room … and a point-counterpoint debate ensues. “Cover crops are time-consuming and don’t provide economic returns,” the economist says, pointing to a survey of farmers not currently using cover crops. Find out how the agronomist responds in this article from KMALand.