Planting cover crops - Articles

Seeding Covers with a Drone

November 4, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Harpers Ferry, Iowa, farmer Jon Kruse is utilizing a unique method of planting cover crops this fall - a drone. September 16, Kruse hired Devin Brincks, a Rantizo contractor, to fly his drone over standing soybeans to seed red clover as a cover crop. Read more in this story from the Waukon Standard (Waukon, Iowa).

Cover Crop Planting Date Matters

October 28, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Aberdeen News

As corn and soybean reach maturity and the crop canopy starts to open, a prime window also opens for seeding a cover crop. A cover crop can be interseeded in the fall into standing corn and soybean via the air or with ground equipment such as a high-clearance seeder. Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD).

Cover Crops Can Help Farmland Impacted by Derecho

October 21, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA)

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).

Drought Affects Herbicide Carryover

October 16, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

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.

4 Out of 5 Growers Planting Fall Covers to Improve Soil Health

By Sarah Hill posted on October 15, 2020

Farmers are feeling optimistic about the future, and many are planning to include cover crops in that bright future, according to information recently published by the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

2020 National Cover Crop Summit: Fall Edition

It’s Not Too Late for Frost Seeding

The online National Cover Crop Summit: Fall 2020 Edition kicks off with a presentation on tricks to help with frost seeding by a Penn State University professor of soil management.

October 7, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Although many growers may consider the “ideal” time to plant cover crops to be immediately after harvest, having snow on the ground is not a reason to give up on utilizing the benefits cover crops can offer. This is where frost seeding comes into play as a cover crop seeding method.

Soil Health Partnership Shares Survey Findings

October 5, 2020

With harvest season upon us, that means it’s also time for another major undertaking — planting covers after harvest. A recent cover crop survey by the Soil Health Partnership found that more than half of farmers planted cover crops between the middle of September and the beginning of November.

Before Planting Covers, Check Seed Source

September 25, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: DRG News

As small grain harvest moves along, some farmers will plant cover crops into those fields to do things such as improve soil condition, control weeds or provide fall grazing for livestock and wildlife. Before planting the cover crop seeds, South Dakota Department of Agriculture Plant Industry Program Manager Brenda Sievers reminds farmers to check the source of the seeds and to be sure a lab analysis has been done on them.

[Podcast] Weed Suppression is a Valuable Side Benefit of Covers

Joe Ikley, assistant professor and Extension Specialist with North Dakota State University discusses using cover crops for weed suppression. Find out why the timing of seeding cover crops matters, which cover crop species are best for helping control weeds, and how geography influences cover crop species selection and weed suppression.

September 23, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Joe Ikley, assistant professor and Extension Specialist with North Dakota State University discusses using cover crops for weed suppression. Find out why the timing of seeding cover crops matters, which cover crop species are best for helping control weeds, and how geography influences cover crop species selection and weed suppression.

Worried About Nitrates When Grazing Cover Crops?

September 7, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

Planting cover crops after severe wind or hail damage to crops is becoming increasingly common. Often growers are planting species that have been used as forages for many years with the thought that they may be grazed. Read more in this article from the University of Nebraska.