Cover crops - Articles

Doing Cover Crop Research Right: What I’ve Learned After 22 Years

March 26, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Holtwood, Pa., no-tiller and Cover Crop Coach Steve Groff has done thousands of cover crop research plots over the past 2 decades and will share in this podcast how do “do it right” with research — and how to ask the right questions of others’ research — to maximize educational learning and investment in covers.

Tips for Fighting Back Against Slugs in Your Cover Cropped Fields

March 20, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Slugs can be the worst enemy for growers utilizing no-till practices and cover crops in certain regions of the U.S. as the creatures thrive in potentially cool, wet conditions as cash crops emerge.

Opportunities for Cover Crops in Prevent Planting Situations

March 13, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Unfortunately there are some years when fields just don't get planted to a cash crop. But this can open up an opportunity to plant a wide range of species of cover crops to make soils more productive in the future, says Steve Groff.

Using Short-Season Cash Crops to Plant Cover Crops Earlier

March 6, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

One of the easiest strategies to getting cover crops seeded earlier in fields — and getting more growth, better erosion control, more nitrogen scavenging and the like — is utilizing shorter-season corn hybrids. Improved genetics available today can provide growers more options without sacrificing too much yield.

[Video] Case Study: Raising Cover Crops for Grazing

February 28, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

University of Idaho Extension shares a case study of Nez Perce, Idaho, producer Drew Leitch, who raises cover crops for grazing during the time when his grass pastures dry up. Drew says experimenting with annual cover crops has benefited both his cattle operation and his cropping operation.

Interseeding Covers Into Knee High Corn

February 28, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Every grower wants to know how to make cover crops pay off on their farm but there can be myriad challenges, including climate. One approach is interseeding covers into standing corn to increase the amount of growing time and benefits rendered by covers to farm operations. Ag conservation consultant Dan Towery and Cover Crop Coach Steve Groff will talk about how to get started, equipment choices, the best time for interseeding, what cover crop species work best and issues with residual herbicides to be aware of.

Nutrient Management With Cover Crops How Much Fertilizer Can I Reduce

February 28, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

The temptation with some growers starting out with cover crops might be to start reducing nutrient application rates right away in anticipation of a bump in nitrogen fixation and improved nutrient availability. But nutrient management with cover crops can be tricky and there are some precautionary measures to follow to ensure your cash crops don’t suffer.

Tips for Planting into Green Cover Crops Successfully

February 28, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

The concept of planting cash crops into living cover crops is gaining more momentum among growers every year. But is your planter and management up for the task?

[Podcast] Nutrient Management With Cover Crops: How Much Fertilizer Can I Reduce?

February 21, 2019 | Posted in Economics, Termination

The temptation with some growers starting out with cover crops might be to start reducing nutrient application rates right away in anticipation of a bump in nitrogen fixation and improved nutrient availability. But nutrient management with cover crops can be tricky and there are some precautionary measures to follow to ensure your cash crops don’t suffer. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Lessiter Media Unveils New Website, Event Focused on Cover Crop Management

February 9, 2019

Lessiter Media, publishers of No-Till Farmer and Strip-Till Farmer, has announced the launch of new website and event dedicated to providing farmers with practical tips and information on managing cover crops to improve their soil resource, protect the environment and enhance on-farm profitability.