Roger Murdock, director of sales & marketing for Montag Manufacturing, took some time to show me one of the company’s newest cover crop innovations. Check out this clip of Murdock talking about the key features of Montag’s Cover Crop Plus and what makes it ideal for planting cover crops of all different species, especially those with smaller seeds.

Gary Zimmer, a grower in Spring Green, Wis., who some refer to as the “father of biological farming,” hosted a field day on his farm over the summer and explained why soil fertility has to involve the exchange of nutrients in a carbon biological cycle. According to Zimmer, too many farmers simply lay fertilizer on top of their land and fail to connect their nutrients to a carbon source. Here is Gary talking about his unique approach to cover crops and how they help with soil fertility on his farm.

Jim Stute, an independent research agronomist and farmer member of the watershed protection committee of Racine County in Wisconsin, is helping to lead a long-term comparison of conventional tillage vs. no-till and cover crops. After just 1 year, the study still has a long way to go, but initially, Stute is seeing a 26.3 bushel per acre yield advantage with conventional. And most importantly, Stute says what he thinks they can do next year to shift those results.

Today we’re talking with Jeff Schluckbier, who grows corn, sugar beets and wheat in Tuscola County, Mich. Jeff uses sunflowers, radish, clover, oats, cereal rye and Austrian winter peas. He says cover crops are paying off big time in his 7,500-acre operation, especially during heavy rainfall events.

Product Expert Kenton Johnson described the Revolution Ditcher from Crary Industries, a rotary ditcher that has been updated for 2023. The changes to this 2023 model include an updated feed auger system which helps improve feeding in heavy trash field situations. Through its hydraulically powered system the can overpower most obstructions and can reverse as needed. The auger is also set on a track as well as a swing arm allowing for improved accessibility and ease of use.

Geringhoff's Director of Sales Craig Lee showcases the new newest offering , the AFT Corn Head at the 2023 Farm Progress Show. The new corn head has improved flexibility and a folding frame, new for 2023. Ideal for rough terrain with 8 degrees of vertical flex which can equal approximately 16 inches of travel.

Business Development Director Dave Webster showcases Salford Group's new 7056 Cover Crop Seeder. The Seeder comes in two models were developed to answer the growing demand of cover crops, the 5056 and 7056, named for their 50 cubic ft and 70 cubic ft capacity. The seeder also comes with two section control and is a dedicated seeder for cover crops.

As always, cover crops are a hot topic at this year’s Farm Progress Show. I caught up with Andy Unverferth, who told me about a new cover crop seeder with an electric drive metering system.

Marion Calmer had always thought he “just wanted to be a farmer,” but he’s a true innovator.