Benchmark Study - Articles

Grazing Livestock on Cover Crops: A Practice with Room to Grow

The majority of growers grazed livestock on less than 300 cover crop acres and most do not rent out their acreage for grazing in spite of the income potential.

By Sarah Hill posted on July 2, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

For growers who use cover crops, grazing is the next level of utilization if the proper opportunity presents itself. If a grower owns their own livestock, cover crops are an additional feed source, especially during winter months when hay and other forages are more expensive.

Farmers’ Biggest Challenge with Growing Cover Crops: Time

Growers want the soil health benefits of cover crops, but some say it’s a struggle to get them planted during short planting windows.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 23, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Using cover crops is not a short-term investment. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Cover crops are an investment in the long-term soil health and a conscious decision to focus more on stewardship of the land rather than short-term profits.

Planting Green Cover Crops into Cash Crops Can Be Successful

By Sarah Hill posted on June 11, 2020

Planting green has never been more popular. Growers’ interest in planting green is increasing, according to the results of the first-ever Cover Crop Benchmark Study conducted by Cover Crop Strategies.

Most Cover Crops Seeded in Fall, Winter

The first annual Cover Crop Strategies Cover Crop Benchmark Study also finds 80% of growers prefer drills to seed cover crops.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 8, 2020

Once harvest is completed in the fall, many growers want to take a big sigh of relief—that year’s cropping season is finished. But for those who want to take advantage of cover crops, wrapping up harvest means it’s time to dust off the drill.

Cereal Rye Most Popular Cover Crop Species

By Sarah Hill posted on May 27, 2020

Can you name 10 species of cover crops? No, this isn’t a riddle — it’s actually easier than you think. An easy place to start: cereal rye.

Growers Invest in Cover Crops for Soil Health Benefits

By Sarah Hill posted on May 22, 2020

The results from the first annual Cover Crop Strategies Benchmark Study found the majority of growers do not receive incentive payments to plant cover crops, while soil health benefits are their top reasons for growing covers.

Cover Crops & Tillage: Find What Works for Your Operation

By Sarah Hill posted on May 12, 2020

When I was a kid, I loved reading choose-your-own-adventure books. You never knew where you were going to end up or how things would turn out. Farming is a lot like a choose-your-own-adventure story.