Soil tillage on farms may significantly reduce the availability in crops of ergothioneine (ERGO), an amino acid produced by certain types of soil-borne fungi and bacteria that is known as a “longevity vitamin” due to its potent antioxidant properties, according to new research by an interdisciplinary team at Penn State. The study is among the first to demonstrate that soil disturbance can directly impact a key dietary factor associated with long-term human health.

In this audio interview, hear from Anthony Bly, South Dakota State University Soils Field Specialist as he discusses growing cover crops for seed, which cover crop species are best when you're growing covers for seed, and why growers should strive for net profit, not necessarily max yield.

Farmers who have used a three- or four-crop rotation system for more than 10 years are most likely to reap the benefits of improved soil health and higher yields, according to a survey of producers in eastern South Dakota. With fertilizer prices at an all-time high, this might be an opportune time for producers to consider adding oats, peas and spring or winter wheat to their rotations, according to associate professor Tong Wang of South Dakota State University’s Ness School of Management and Economics. Read more in this story from South Dakota State University.

In this video, Dr. Clain Jones, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist with the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University, discusses how such agricultural practices such as cropping systems, cover crops, and nutrient management affect soil health in semi-arid climates. Dr. Jones includes soil health parameters, including soil organic matter, pH, enzyme activities, nitrogen availability, and infiltration rates.

Farmers typically treat diseased plants with copper solutions, but some studies suggest that recruiting beneficial microbes may prevent P. syringae infection. Thus, creating reservoirs of helpful microbes in agricultural fields could be an important strategy for preventing disease. Read more in this article from the American Phytopathological Society.

In this video, Indiana farmer Rick Clark discusses challenges and successes of regenerating soil on 7,000 acres. He'll explain why you have to be ready to change at a moment's notice, challenges he's had with using cover crops over the past 12 years, and how he implements a 6 crop system.

Current evidence largely suggests cover crops do not raise yields or returns in the first years of adoption. It is unclear if they will raise returns or lower risk over time. Read more in this article from University of Illinois Farmdoc.

With water-level control structures for controlled drainage gaining popularity in farms, some questions about the management practice have surfaced, including this one: How can we effectively utilize both controlled drainage and winter crops? Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.