With the soybeans being harvested a little earlier than usual this year, some producers are finding themselves making management decisions which often include the use of cover crops. There are a lot of agronomic benefits for planting cover crops such as soil health, soil erosion control, weed reduction, animal feed, and nutrient recycling. Read more in this article from South Dakota State University Extension.

For vegetable growers, weeds can mean lost income from reduced yield and foreign plant matter contaminating the harvest. But for many crops, particularly vegetable legumes, weed management options are very limited. Read more in this press release from the University of Illinois.

After corn is chopped and combines move through fields, crop residue and stubble remains, leading some growers to tillage processes, yet soil experts continue to encourage growers to leave the stubble for the sake of soil health. According to the most recent Agricultural Resources Management Survey on the production practices of corn, cotton, soybean and wheat, data shows that roughly half (51%) growers used either no-till or strip-till at least once over a four-year period. Read more in this article from the Star-Herald (Scottsbluff, NE).

Dozens of sheep graze a field of Sudan grass on Walla Walla Organics farm as part of a farming system that restores the soil. These practices, known as regenerative agriculture approaches, became a more recent goal for farmer and owner Dan McClure. Read more in this article from the Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, WA).

“How many cattle should I put on my cover crops and how long should they graze?” We went right to North Dakota State University's Miranda Meehan to get an answer and here’s what she said. Read more in this article from AgWeek.

When David Neuharth started his 3Y3 Ranch in the 1980s near Hayes, S.D., he noticed a trend among area producers. “Everything in this country and in Stanley County around in the area was pretty much a 50-50 deal,” David said. “Half summer fallow … and the other half was winter wheat.” Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD).

Healthy soil is essential to agriculture, but it can be tricky to adequately assess soil health test results, which are influenced by biology, chemistry, fertility, time of sampling, timing of farming and other variables. That’s why the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is developing a user-friendly, online tool to help farmers and agronomists easily interpret their soil health test results and convert them into an action plan. Read more in this article from the Iowa Soybean Association.

Dairy farmers are working extra hard not only to produce the milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products Wisconsin is known for, but to do so sustainably to keep our air and waterways clean. Two farms, Ripp’s Dairy Valley in the Town of Dane and Endres Berryridge Farm in the Town of Springfield, to learn about conservation practices farmers employ to keep nutrient rich soils in place, prevent stormwater runoff and manage manure. Read more in this article from the Waunakee Tribune (Waunakee, WI).

South Dakota is known for its variety, and Don Nickelson’s operation in Frederick is no exception. With the help of his wife, Trista, and sons Aiden, Gavin, and Ian, Nickelson raises cattle and also grows corn, soybeans, oats, triticale and alfalfa in addition to some cover crops. Read more in this article from Tri-State Livestock News.

Meet John Bitter and Amy Van Scoik, first-generation farmers in Hawthorne, Fla., who practice organic, small-scale, sustainable growing practices and sell directly to their customers. The couple founded Frog Song Organics on six acres in 2011. Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD).