Water quality - Articles

Can Taller Cover Crops Lead to Cleaner Water?

By Brian Devore posted on March 4, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health, Investing in Regenerative Ag, Economics, Termination

Source: Civil Eats

In 2022, Olmsted County commissioners Mark Thein and Gregg Wright approached staffers in the local soil and water conservation district office and asked a seemingly straightforward question: How can we keep nitrates out of the groundwater?

[Video] Ohio No-Tiller Builds Two Stage Ditch to Reduce Erosion, Improve Water Quality

August 15, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Northwest Ohio no-tiller Les Seiler found a way to improve water quality and reduce erosion by constructing a two-stage ditch on one of his farms in 2014. The ditch also doubles as a pollinator habitat.

[Podcast] Apply Manure to Covers in the Fall or Spring

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Brian Dougherty, Iowa State University Extension Field Agricultural Engineer. Dougherty will discuss ideal timing for applying manure to cover crops, how cash crop and cover crop yields are affected by manure application, how manure application affects water quality, and more.

July 12, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Brian Dougherty, Iowa State University Extension Field Agricultural Engineer. Dougherty will discuss ideal timing for applying manure to cover crops, how cash crop and cover crop yields are affected by manure application, how manure application affects water quality, and more.

Cover Crops Decrease Phosphorus Runoff, But More Herbicides Being Used for Termination

By Sarah Hill posted on June 9, 2021

One of the many benefits of cover crops is they let growers reduce nutrient runoff and help improve water quality in local watersheds. However, in some cases farmers may need to terminate covers and using herbicides is often the go-to method.

Rethinking Cropland Management with Planting Green

June 2, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: South Dakota Soil Health Coalition

Peter Sexton, associate professor and South Dakota State University Extension sustainable cropping systems specialist at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm, has found that planting green has water quality benefits. Read more in this article from the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.

[Video] Reducing Nitrates with Cover Crops

February 24, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

In this video from the University of Minnesota, researcher Jeff Vetsch talks about how cereal rye reduced nitrate loss by 70%, how a tile drainage system also influences nitrate losses, the challenges of cover crop establishment, and more.

Water Quality & Cover Crops

February 19, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Cover crops can directly impact water quality. With all the attention being given to improving water quality and reducing nutrient loads going into Ohio’s waterways, farmers are encouraged to consider a multifaceted approach of best management practices (BMP’s) that include the use of cover crops. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Soil Health Indicators

December 16, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Delaware Gazette

Most of us don’t spend much time (or any time) thinking about the ground under our feet. But soil is one of a landowner’s most valuable assets and one most of us take for granted. Read more in this article from the Delaware Gazette (Delaware, OH).

Cover Crops After a Drought Can Impact Water Quality

October 19, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Aberdeen News

The dry conditions throughout large areas of Iowa during 2020 reminds us of Iowa’s last significant drought in 2012 and the subsequent impacts on nitrate-N levels in subsurface drainage the following spring. There is a risk of elevated fall soil nitrate levels due to dry conditions this growing season. Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD).

Midwest Cover Crops Council Updates Decision Tool

October 14, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Purdue University press release

The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) is rolling out an improved cover crop selection tool that will help farmers make decisions. Users select their state/province and county and then select the goals they have for cover crops — erosion control, nitrogen scavenger, fighting weeds and providing forage, etc. Read more in this press release from Purdue University.