Management strategies - Articles

Growing Your Own Cover Crop Seed

January 16, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that he’s learned to plant hairy vetch with cereal rye and triticale when it will be used for seed. In this podcast, Groff explains why you might want to grow your own seed, the limitations to growing your own cover crop seed, why growing your own cover crop seed may require special harvesting equipment modifications, and more.

Cover Crops Part of a Successful Herbicide Resistant Weed Management Strategy

December 18, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Weeds are the enemy of every farmer, and those growers who plant cover crops are no exception. However, cover crops can be part of the management strategy to overcome weeds that have become resistant to herbicides, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. In this week’s podcast, Groff explains which weeds are the worst offenders, how weed types change on the farm, and more.

Planting Cover Crops in December — Are You Crazy?

December 4, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

While the idea might seem a little ‘out there’ in a typical year, 2019 was not a typical year in many states, with weather challenges causing planting, field work and harvesting delays. Cover Crop Coach Steve Groff says there are more opportunities than you think for getting something done in December. Groff will discuss which cover crops can be planted in December with a high degree of success and how growers can use slightly frozen ground to their advantage.

Making Cover Crops Work in Area with Less Than 20 Inch Rainfall Part 1

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

While cover crops are being utilized across the U.S., in all 50 states, adoption has lagged behind a bit in semi-arid climates due to concerns about soil moisture being depleted.

Ask Your Cover Crop Seed Dealer the Tough Questions

November 19, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Buying cover crop seed should be a transaction that benefits everyone involved—the grower and the seed dealer. That means asking the right questions to get the product you want and need for your operation. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff shares the top 5 questions to ask the next time you buy cover crop seed.

Learning From Cover Crop Failures

November 5, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Like all aspects of farming, growing cover crops doesn’t always go as intended. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff says that how cover croppers react to failure is critical for learning and doing better the next time. Groff shares ideas on how to deal with several areas where cover cropping can go awry, including weather, herbicides, equipment and management, and shares stories from his own cover crop failures.

Get Double Benefits with Cover Crops as Forages

October 29, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Many cover crop species can be used as forage while also providing soil health benefits, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff, including hay, baleage and grazing. The type of cover crops to plant depends on your ultimate goal for those cover crops, as that goal can affect seeding rates, planting dates, and fertility.

Planting Cover Crops After Small Grain Harvest

October 21, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Typically, double cropping done after small grains is planting soybeans in wheat stubble, but not always, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. Some growers plant a crop after barley, oats or other small grain crops, and cover crops are a viable choice for planting in late summer. The amount of precipitation is also a factor in deciding whether to plant cover crops after small grains. The type of cover crop planted can also play a role in helping increase yields the following growing year.

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.

Maximizing Legume Cover Crops for Less Nitrogen Use

October 8, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Managing legumes as a cover crop requires smart decision making, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. From choosing the best nitrogen-producing species and planting legumes as early as possible to using winter hardy selections and planting into green legumes, Groff shares best practices for getting the most out your covers while using less nitrogen.