Soil tillage on farms may significantly reduce the availability in crops of ergothioneine (ERGO), an amino acid produced by certain types of soil-borne fungi and bacteria that is known as a “longevity vitamin” due to its potent antioxidant properties, according to new research by an interdisciplinary team at Penn State. The study is among the first to demonstrate that soil disturbance can directly impact a key dietary factor associated with long-term human health.

Cover crops are becoming more mainstream as more growers are taking advantage of the benefits the practice has to offer. As a result, the editors of Cover Crop Strategies are pleased to present the Spring 2022 National Cover Crop Summit on March 15-16.

As we move into the final month of meteorological winter, outlooks for February continue to show a classic La Niña (LN) signature across the United States. On the temperature side, above-average probabilities for warmer temperatures are found across the East Coast and throughout much of the Sun Belt States. Read more in this article from Iowa State University Extension.

In this audio interview, hear from Anthony Bly, South Dakota State University Soils Field Specialist as he discusses growing cover crops for seed, which cover crop species are best when you're growing covers for seed, and why growers should strive for net profit, not necessarily max yield.

In this special audio interview, Jason Fruechte, Forage & Cover Crop Specialist, Millborn Seeds, discusses using covers on silage acres, seizing opportunities to get cover crops seeded, which cover crop species are a good fit for silage acres, and more.

Farmers who have used a three- or four-crop rotation system for more than 10 years are most likely to reap the benefits of improved soil health and higher yields, according to a survey of producers in eastern South Dakota. With fertilizer prices at an all-time high, this might be an opportune time for producers to consider adding oats, peas and spring or winter wheat to their rotations, according to associate professor Tong Wang of South Dakota State University’s Ness School of Management and Economics. Read more in this story from South Dakota State University.

Morning glory can be a problematic weed for many growers, with it being a significant issue in the San Joaquin Valley. Crop Consultant with California Ag Solutions, Cary Crum said that implementing a cover crop system can be an effective tool in fighting the weed. Read more in this story from Ag Net West.

Farmers typically treat diseased plants with copper solutions, but some studies suggest that recruiting beneficial microbes may prevent P. syringae infection. Thus, creating reservoirs of helpful microbes in agricultural fields could be an important strategy for preventing disease. Read more in this article from the American Phytopathological Society.

In this audio interview, hear from Steve Kenyon, a grower from Alberta, Canada, as he discusses how he uses cover crops in his custom grazing operation without owning land or livestock, how he's transitioned tilled cropland into pastures with perennial polycultures, what his goals are, and more.