Soil health - Articles

Keep the Stubble — and the Covers

By Sarah Hill posted on November 11, 2019

Have you ever participated in No Shave November? Maybe you have, unintentionally, or by choice. Now, there’s a new reason to “keep the stubble” during the month of November.

Tackle the Tough Conversations on Cover Crops

By Sarah Hill posted on October 28, 2019

Although many of you are probably still wrapping up harvest, it isn’t too early to start thinking ahead and planning for next year’s growing season. If you’re wanting to plant cover crops on rented ground next year, this is an ideal time to have a conversation with your landlord about what you’re planning to do and why.

Greatest Soil Health Benefits Come From No-Till, Cover Crop Combo

October 28, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

For the last several years, many farmers have been adopting practices to improve the “soil health” of their fields. Often this includes no-till or reduced tillage, and the introduction of cover crops. While the basic soil health concept is relatively uniform, the way the practices are implemented is often very different from operation to operation. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

No-Till, Cover Crops Key to Building Healthy Soil

October 23, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: York News Times

On a windy autumn day, Dan Leininger, a water conservationist with the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District, stands in a field of ripe soybeans on the northeast side of York, Neb. While the beans are impressive, Leininger gets down on one knee to show what he’s most proud of. Find out more in this article from the York News-Times.

Soil, Cover Crops Key to Saving Family Farms

October 21, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Yes Magazine

Would it sound too good to be true if I was to say that there was a simple, profitable and underused agricultural method to help feed everybody, cool the planet, and revitalize rural America? I used to think so, until I started visiting farmers who are restoring fertility to their land, stashing a lot of carbon in their soil, and returning healthy profitability to family farms. Read more in this article from Yes magazine.

[Podcast] Using Soil Health Tests

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that in the past 5-10 years, soil health testing has grown in popularity, but they aren’t a silver bullet for detecting all soil health problems. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

October 16, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that in the past 5-10 years, soil health testing has grown in popularity, but they aren’t a silver bullet for detecting all soil health problems. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Using Soil Health Tests

October 16, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that in the past 5-10 years, soil health testing has grown in popularity, but they aren’t a silver bullet for detecting all soil health problems. In this podcast, learn about the different types of soil tests available, what they can measure and why each one is important.

Growers Trying Out Triple Threat of Cash Crops, Cover Crops & Companion Crops

August 28, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Fence Post

The use of cover crops within a rotation is commonplace for many producers, given the soil health benefits. Some producers are moving toward utilizing companion crops, planting a cover crop with a cash crop and allowing them to grow simultaneously. For livestock producers, having forage available to graze earlier, can be a benefit itself. Find out more about growing these two types of crops together in this article from The Fence Post.

The Facts on Nitrogen Release Using Cover Crops in the Dakotas

August 21, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgWeek

There's this idea floating around that cover crops will take up nitrogen this growing season and then release that nitrogen for next year's crop. Add on top of that, an ability to anticipate when that nitrogen will be released by selecting specific cover crops in a mix (this is the C:N ratio stuff you hear about). Find out more in this article from AgWeek by Abbey Wick, North Dakota State University Extension Soil Health Specialist.

‘Learn, Unlearn & Relearn’: Farmers Benefit From Soil Health Practices

August 14, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgriNews

Brad Zimmerman openly admits it was daunting when he “was handed the checkbook” to the farm after his father passed away. Zimmerman, of Groveland, a fifth-generation farmer and Tazewell County Soil and Water Conservation District director, shared his journey into farming and his experiences using cover crops at the recent Illinois SWCD annual conference in this article from AgriNews.