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New OpTIS Data from Satellite Imagery Show 2.5x Rise in Corn Belt Cover Crops

Corn Belt cover crop acres climbed from 2.8 million to 7.5 million between 2015 and 2021
February 6, 2023 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Economics
A new tranche of data from the Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) tracked a 250% climb in cover crop acreage—from 2.8 million acres in 2015 to 7.5 million acres in 2021—led by row crop farmers in the southern portion of the region. The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), which hosts free access to OpTIS data on its ctic.org website, dubbed this week's release "OpTIS 3.0."
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Can Cover Crops Lower Your Herbicide Costs in Corn?

December 14, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health, Economics

Cover crops have many benefits, including suppressing weed emergence and growth. Planting soybeans in a standing cover crop and then terminating the cover crop stymies weeds without harming yield. Corn, however, is a bit trickier. Competition from the cover crop can reduce corn yield. In addition, failure to kill the cover crop in a timely manner and improper nitrogen management will result in fewer bushels.


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Midwest Cover Crop Planting at an All-Time High, Study Shows

The notable increase in cover crop adoption comes alongside increasing state and federal incentive programs, a statistically significant driver, according to the study.
December 8, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health, Economics

Cover crops, with their ability to reduce erosion and promote soil health, are being planted across more Midwestern land than ever. In recent years, this strategy has become a valuable trend with the added benefit of increasing crop productivity. So, it’s no surprise that new University of Illinois research shows cover crop adoption reached 7.2 percent in 2021, up from just 1.8 percent a decade prior.


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How One Iowa Farmer Reduced His Fertilizer Usage by 30%

Fredericks, who farms just 15 miles south of the Minnesota state line in a very cold climate, points out that what worked for him might not be the best for every single farmer.
By Mackane Vogel posted on November 21, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health, Economics

Wayne Fredericks, a corn and soybean farmer from Osage, Iowa, has been no-tilling soybeans since 1991 and strip-tilling corn since 2001. But ever since he tried using cover crops in 2012, he has been able to reduce his use of fertilizer by 30%.


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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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