Soil Health - Articles

Extra Cover Crop Growth Prior to Soybeans Provides Benefits

March 10, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

A study in Iowa funded by the United Soybean Board found that winter cereal rye that grew an extra 3 weeks prior to soybeans produced about 300-400% more biomass, with a 100% increase in nitrogen retention.

Reaching Beyond Equipment for No-Till Success

By Jim Steiert posted on March 9, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Cover crops, pollinator strips and compost are among the tools Kelly Kettner uses to improve organic matter and stretch irrigation resources on his 5,000-acre operation in the Texas Panhandle.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Extended No-Till Rotations, Cover Crops Rack Up Cost Savings

Chuck Zumbrun counts herbicides, insecticides and traited seed among inputs he’s slashed significantly by adding wheat and cover crops to his rotation.

February 15, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

I’ve found with many of my endeavors in no-till that I’d implement a practice for one reason, only to reap unexpected benefits and switch gears to further pursue those benefits. This applies to no-till itself, too.

Researchers Believe Annual Ryegrass Key to Breaking Fragipan

January 27, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

University of Kentucky soil scientists have found that annual ryegrass ryegrass and some chemical combinations appear to break down the soil fragipan that limits crops’ yield potential.

Lean, ‘Green’ No-Tilling Machine

Double-cropping, ‘planting green’ and adding precision technology is helping no-tiller David Black reduce erosion and boost crop yields.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 11, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Having started no-tilling more than 40 years ago, David Black has seen soil health and yields continue to improve. But getting there was, at times, a test of faith.

Banking Water, Fixing Soils Yield a No-Till ‘Green Up’

Rotational grazing, no-till practices and diverse cover crop mixes are the recipe to healthier soils for Leedey, Okla., no-tiller Jimmy Emmons.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 11, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

When Jimmy Emmons talks about the major changes he’s making to his farm, he feels compelled to explain that his father and grandfather, “did the best they could do with the equipment they had.”

Flooding Impact on Winter Wheat, Cover Crops

January 8, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management

Cooler temperatures and dormancy reduce the rate of oxygen depletion in waterlogged soils, says University of Missouri.

Cover Crops Improve Soil Quality, Crop Yields in Central Kansas Research

December 31, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: DeAnn Presley, Extension Soil Management Specialist, Kansas State University Extension

Cover crops can have several potential benefits for soil quality in a no-till rotation, says Kansas State University Extension soil management specialist DeAnn Presley.

Power of Legumes, Part 3

Five fields sampled for biological diversity and measured with the Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PFLA) test showed some interesting results.

By Mark Watson posted on December 23, 2015 | Posted in Soil Health

On our farm we sampled five fields for biological activity this fall. We waited to sample the fields until the middle of September. The reason we waited was to get some rain so we could get our probe in the ground. We also figured moisture may increase the amount of biological activity.