Editors' Picks - Articles

Canadian Growers Can Do Better with Cover Cropping

September 2, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Farmers in Western Canada received good marks for increasing organic matter in their soil but a grade of D when it comes to cover cropping. The Soil Conservation Council of Canada released its first national soil health report card this spring — the first attempt to evaluate the state of Canada’s soil since the 1980s. Read more in this article from the Alberta Farm Express.

Fixing the Water Cycle with Cover Crops

September 2, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Organic Farmer

Fixing the water cycle—easier said than done, with so many demands on water resources around the world. In the U.S., many areas are starting to feel the pinch of reduced water quality or quantity, or both. Read more in this article from Organic Farmer.

What to Know Before Planting Cover Crops

August 31, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Daily Review (Towanda, PA)

We all hear the benefits touted about cover crops- less erosion, having a living plant in the ground at all times, alleviating compaction, retaining nutrients for the next crop, giving food and shelter to microbes in the soil, and so on. It is a great list and will do some miraculous things to the soil. Read more in this article from The Daily Review (Towanda, PA).

Annual Cover Crops an Additional Forage Source

August 31, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

As a result of a challenging fall harvest and a considerable precipitation deficit, ranchers are considering options to increase their forage supply. "Recent precipitation in portions of North Dakota impacted by drought may make annual forages and cover crops viable forage options for hay production or grazing," says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.

Cover Crops, No-Till Could Slow Climate Change

August 31, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: The Lane Report

Cover crops combined with no-tillage systems can increase soil organic carbon, which could help slow climate change on farms, according to a recent study by University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment scientists. Located at UK’s Spindletop Research Farm in Lexington, the plots are only one of a few sites in the world that have been continuously in no-till agriculture for more than 50 years. Read more in this article from The Lane Report.

Dryland Cropping Systems & Cover Crops

August 28, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Dodge City Daily Globe

Can we grow a cover crop that will provide many soil health benefits, including less soil water evaporation, higher water infiltration, better water holding capacity and weed suppression on only the moisture that would have been lost anyway? We can, if the cover crop mix is properly designed and planted and terminated timely. Read more in this article from the Dodge City Daily Globe (Dodge City, KS).

Less Erosion Means Healthier Soil

August 26, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA)

Let’s take a closer look at how improving soil health on our farmland acres can have a dramatic effect on reducing soil erosion and rainfall runoff that result in downstream flooding and property damage. During the past few years, as a result of climate change, rainfall totals have increased in north-central Iowa. Read more in this article from the Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA).

USDA Allowing Grazing, Haying or Cutting Cover Crops on Sept. 1

August 24, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: North Dakota State University Extension press release

Changes in federal grazing and harvesting rules on prevented-planting acres could help livestock producers in select counties replenish forage supplies, or at least offset shortages in perennial forage production, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists. Counties that qualify must have 15% or more acres classified as prevented plant. Read more in this press release from North Dakota State University Extension.

Soil: Water Reservoir for Crop Production

August 24, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Dr. Elwyn Taylor, Iowa State University climatologist reported that 200-bushel corn needs 19 to 23 inches of water during the growing season. For 200-bushel corn at 75 degree F (soil temperature), corn needs 1-acre inch of water per week, doubling to 2 inches at 85 degrees F, and doubling again to 4 inches at 95 degrees F. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Forage Options After Wheat

August 24, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

With winterkill, winter injury and low first-cut yields as well as higher land costs, there is interest in following winter wheat and other cereals with a forage crop to help supplement inventories. Not only can this approach produce some extra feed, it also provides cover crop benefits. Read more in this article from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.

Editors' Picks
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Canadian Growers Can Do Better with Cover Cropping

Fixing the Water Cycle with Cover Crops

What to Know Before Planting Cover Crops

Annual Cover Crops an Additional Forage Source

Cover Crops, No-Till Could Slow Climate Change

Dryland Cropping Systems & Cover Crops

Less Erosion Means Healthier Soil

USDA Allowing Grazing, Haying or Cutting Cover Crops on Sept. 1

Soil: Water Reservoir for Crop Production

Forage Options After Wheat

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Get all things Cover Crop all the time!

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