Cover crops and soil health - Articles

Cover Crops Lower Cropping Input Costs

June 26, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Cover crops have proven benefits for soil health. A recent Iowa Soybean Association study shows that cover crops can also reduce the input costs associated with growing crops. Read more in this article from the Environmental Defense Fund.

Farmers’ Biggest Challenge with Growing Cover Crops: Time

Growers want the soil health benefits of cover crops, but some say it’s a struggle to get them planted during short planting windows.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 23, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Using cover crops is not a short-term investment. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Cover crops are an investment in the long-term soil health and a conscious decision to focus more on stewardship of the land rather than short-term profits.

Crop Residue, Cover Crops Impact Soil Health Parameters

June 10, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: South Dakota State University Extension

Interest in no-till and cover crops has been on the rise among South Dakota (S.D.) crop producers. In 2019, half of S.D. crop ground was under no-till management and about 900,000 acres were planted to cover crops (U S.D.S-NRCS). Read more in this article from South Dakota State University Extension.

Harvest Cover Crops as Hay or Straw

April 20, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Akron Beacon Journal

With the shortage and increasing price of quality hay and an increase in straw prices as well, spring of 2020 may be a season to harvest our winter cereal crops as either hay or straw, depending on your needs. Recent auction reports have hay averaging over $200/T (up to $350 in one report) and straw averaging $150/T. Read more in this article from the Akron Beacon Journal.

Partnership on Ground Floor of Cover Crop Trials

July 31, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgriNews

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planted acreage report indicated nationwide 15.3 million intended corn acres and 33 million intended soybean acres remained unplanted through the first two weeks of June, according to this article from AgriNews.

Post-Flooding Soil Restoration With Cover Crops

July 24, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Grassland Oregon

As row crop and hay producers throughout the country navigate the recovery process from this spring and summer’s excessive flooding, attention is needed for what is happening below ground. Learn more in this article from Grassland Oregon.

Consider Alfalfa as a Cover Crop

July 22, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Farm & Dairy

With forage shortages throughout much of the nation, farmers considering crops for prevented plant acres should look to alfalfa, according to this article from Farm & Dairy.

Weather Presents Unique Opportunity for Soil Stewardship

By Gabe Brown posted on July 22, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

A series of natural disasters has left many fields throughout the Midwest unplanted this year. More than 3 million acres of corn were not planted. At the time I penned this, over 19 million soybean acres remained to be planted. Many of those acres will not get planted. While this is certainly unfortunate, it can also be an opportunity.

What Cover Crops to Plant When

July 17, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: South Dakota State University Extension

As many Midwest producers look to cover crops to build soil health and/or provide supplemental forage after a soggy spring, many questions are arising regarding management decisions, specifically species selection and planting timing. This press release from South Dakota State University outlines those questions.

Cover Crops May Be Best Option for Still-Flooded Farmers

July 15, 2019 | Posted in Economics

Source: Mitchell Daily Republic

Flooding may have officially ruined the corn-growing season for many farmers as agriculture experts urge producers to consider skipping the cash crop altogether. Read more in this article from the Mitchell Daily Republic.