Current cool temperatures increase the risk of failures in terminating cover crops. While cereal rye continues to grow during these conditions, activity of herbicides is reduced, says Iowa State University Extension.
Weed control is one of the major challenges that soybean farmers face every year. Crop yields can be reduced by as much as 80% when weeds are left uncontrolled. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.
An adjustment of conservation standards by the NRCS could prohibit growers from mechanically harvesting cover crops for seed, hay, silage or biomass, potentially hamstringing dairies who rely on covers for additional or emergency forage.
The spring rains and warmer soil temperatures are allowing rye and wheat cover and grain crops to really take off. Questions about termination occur as farmers consider the cost of the cover crop, their goals, and gaining more biomass growth for their investment. Read more in this article from the York News-Times (York, NE).
Under the right conditions, cover crops are a tool for improvement. After harvesting a crop like cotton or grain sorghum, a cover crop rotation can increase soil organic matter, recycle nutrients, prevent erosion and suppress weeds. Read more in this article from Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE).
In western Kansas, dryland cropping systems tend to have long fallow periods between cash crops. The original reason behind these systems is to basically “bank” moisture in the soil profile for the next crop, thus reducing the risk of a failure. Read more in this article from the Dodge City Daily Globe (Dodge City, KS).
GS3 will maintain and build relationships with all current KB Seed Solutions dealers, while still contracting with the growers who produce cover crop seed for both organizations.
Jaybridge’s unique IP portfolio includes significant patents for technology directly related to path-planning, obstacle detection and avoidance, and multi-machine control systems.
The Kansas Soil Health Alliance is a recently-formed nonprofit organization that has been established to be a trusted partner and valuable soil health resource for Kansas growers. The Kansas Soil Health Alliance is led by a board of Kansas farmers and ranchers supported by five partner organizations.
Harpers Ferry farmer Jon Kruse utilized a unique method of planting cover crops this past fall - a drone. September 16, Kruse hired a private contractor, to fly a drone over standing soybeans to seed red clover as a cover crop. Read more in this article from the Waukon Standard (Waukon, IA).
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.
Last week we had boots on the ground at the Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls, Iowa where agronomist David Kleinschmidt emphasized the importance of considering Carbon to Nitrogen ratios of cover crops and residues.