Nrcs - Articles

Cover Crop Strategies Survey Data Shows Potential Negative Impact of NRCS Rule Change

April 30, 2021 | Posted in Termination

Data from the 2nd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study — compiled and organized by Cover Crop Strategies — shows a proposed rule change to NRCS conservation technical standards relating to cover crops could have a very negative affect on farmers and ranchers.

[Podcast] Managing Grazing Covers to Maximize Soil Health Benefits

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Colin Walden, Rangeland Management Specialist with NRCS. Walden will discuss the soil health benefits of grazing, how cover crops can be part of a managed grazing program, what practices improve forage cover crops for grazing, and more.

April 20, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Colin Walden, Rangeland Management Specialist with NRCS. Walden will discuss the soil health benefits of grazing, how cover crops can be part of a managed grazing program, what practices improve forage cover crops for grazing, and more.

Proposed NRCS Change to Cover Crop Guidelines Brings Protests

April 14, 2021 | Posted in Termination

An adjustment of conservation standards by the NRCS could prohibit growers from mechanically harvesting cover crops for seed, hay, silage or biomass, potentially hamstringing dairies who rely on covers for additional or emergency forage.

Defining Soil Health Terms

January 18, 2021

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Soil health can be hard to understand if you do not know the “lingo” or terminology. Here’s a short primer on soil health terms. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

[Podcast] Grazing Covers Can Help Livestock Producers Save Money

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist and Grazing Specialist for Indiana. Shelton discusses challenges growers must tackle when grazing cover crops, how to use cover crops to extend the grazing season, how growers can fit grazing into a crop rotation system, and more.

October 21, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist and Grazing Specialist for Indiana. Shelton discusses challenges growers must tackle when grazing cover crops, how to use cover crops to extend the grazing season, how growers can fit grazing into a crop rotation system, and more.

[Video] Conservation Connections: Meet Derek Van De Hey

October 8, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Dairy farmer Derek Van De Hey, De Pere, WI, discusses how he implements cover crops and no-till on their 2,500 acres. Van De Hey shares how these practices have helped improve soil health and reduce input costs.

USDA Rule Change Could Help Producers Implement More Conservation Activities

October 8, 2020

The USDA released the final rule for its Conservation Stewardship Program that makes updates required by the 2018 Farm Bill and includes potential payments for cover crop rotations, advanced livestock management and creating a comprehensive conservation plan.

Indiana Leads the Nation in Cover Crop Acres

September 9, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: AgriNews

An annual survey that was published recently shows Indiana continues to lead the nation in the acres of cover crops planted. The information collected during the fall transect also shows farmers are implementing no-till and strip-tillage practices. Read more in this article from Agri-News.

Evaluation of Cool-Season Cover Crop Varieties

September 9, 2020

A new publication has been released from the NRCS Plant Materials Program that may be of interest to growers using cover crops in the north central U.S.

Cover Crops Can Help Reduce Forage Shortages

August 19, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Southeast Ag Net

Livestock market complications that reduce calf sales can cause unexpected forage demands. Droughts can compound the problem leading to forage deficiencies, while forage shortages can cause poor animal performance, overgrazed and degraded pastures, and increased expenses. Read more in this article from Southeast AgNet.