Healthy crops begin with healthy soil, and researchers with the Clemson University’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program are teaching farmers how they can benefit from keeping their soils fit. The researchers teamed up with other agricultural professionals and farmers who have implemented soil-health principles by using cover crops, no-till and livestock integration to hold a conference to teach about soil health and tools to use to promote healthy soil.

In Idaho, growers have sought assistance from University of Idaho Extension on rotating cover crops in as an annual crop and interseeding approaches that allow the cover crops to grow along with the cash crop, reports the Tri-State Livestock News.

Aliceville farmer Annie Dee, who runs the Dee River Ranch in Pickens County, is one of a growing number of farmers who are signed up to get paid to sequester carbon in the soil using what are being called regenerative farm techniques.

While cover crops are being utilized across the U.S., in all 50 states, adoption has lagged behind a bit in semi-arid climates due to concerns about soil moisture being depleted.

Buying cover crop seed should be a transaction that benefits everyone involved — the grower and the seed dealer. That means asking the right questions to get the product you want and need for your operation. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff shares the top 5 questions to ask the next time you buy cover crop seed. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Barry Bubolz with Wisconsin NRCS shares information on how cover crops and manure applications can work together. Topics discussed include application timing, cover crop establishment before manure application, and cover crop species selection.

Buying cover crop seed should be a transaction that benefits everyone involved—the grower and the seed dealer. That means asking the right questions to get the product you want and need for your operation. Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff shares the top 5 questions to ask the next time you buy cover crop seed.