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Cover Crops & Carbon:Nitrogen Ratios

July 1, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: Lancaster Farming
These numbers can have a direct affect on our nitrogen use and can help us be better managers in the context of overall soil health. There’s more to it than just understanding the C:N of a particular cash crop or cover crop residue. That’s where microbes come in to play. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.
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Potassium Levels in Soil Decreasing

June 29, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: Rock Island Dispatch-Argus
Nationwide, there has been a major trend in soil test results — a drop in potassium. Andy Wycislo, an agronomist who works with Waypoint Analytical, said there is no identified root cause for why potassium levels are dropping over the last few years, and while some other nutrients have seen decreases over the past couple of years, this one stands out. Read more in this article from the Rock Island Argus Dispatch.
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[Video] Applying Liquid Manure to Cover Crops

June 24, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Michigan State University Environmental Management Extension Educator Sarah Fronczak explains how cover crops retain nutrients in the soil, when liquid manure should be applied, the benefits of applying manure in the fall, and more.
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Oklahoma Farmer Plants Vegetables With Cover Crops

June 24, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: Oklahoma News 4
This year’s cover crop of barley and wheat is designed to put nutrients back into this plot of Western Oklahoma soil. Picking through a small box full of small seeds, farmer Jimmy Emmons points out, “There’s squash in here. There’s peas in here.” Read more in this article from Oklahoma News 4.
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More on Planting into Heavy Cover Crops

June 23, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health
If you saw last week’s podcast, we were talking about planting cash crops into heavy covers. This week’s podcast is part 2 of that discussion! Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff talks about what equipment you need to plant into heavy covers, why residue cleaners are important during planting, what problems to expect when planting into heavy residue, and more.








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Are You Familiar with the Haney Soil Test?

June 17, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: University of Minnesota Extension
The Haney soil health test, named for USDA scientist Rick Haney, includes more than a dozen different soil test values. These include standard macro- and micro-nutrients for plant consumption, but what’s different about the Haney test is that it also estimates nutrients for microbial consumption, focusing on how much carbon (C ) and nitrogen (N) is in the soil. Read more in this article from University of Minnesota Extension.
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Tips for Planting into Heavy Cover Crops

June 17, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health
If wet spring weather has kept you from being able to plant, you may end up planting green into heavy cover crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. Dealing with heavy cover crop residues is doable, but your success depends on using the right equipment and setting it the right way.
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Tips for Planting into Heavy Cover Crops

June 17, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health
If wet spring weather has kept you from being able to plant, you may end up planting green into heavy cover crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. Dealing with heavy cover crop residues is doable, but your success depends on using the right equipment and setting it the right way.









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The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 7-10, 2025! Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 33rd Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Louisville, Ky. Jan. 7-10, 2025. Experience an energizing 4-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led No-Till Classrooms and collaborative No-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.

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Ray McCormick’s Conservation Buffer

Ray McCormick’s Conservation Buffer

Earlier this week we paid another visit to this year’s Conservation Ag Operator Fellow, Ray McCormick in Vincennes, Ind., and one thing about Ray is that even when it’s the “off season,” he’s still thinking ahead for next season.
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