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Early Maturities, Cover Crops Can Help Tough No-Till Soils Flourish

Research on two southern Illinois farms shows the potential of using early maturity crops to establish covers sooner and boost yields in poorly drained, drought-prone, underperforming fields.
By Mark McNeely posted on March 24, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Randy McElroy sees the tough soils sometimes from behind sunglasses, because when the ground dries out completely it can be a white as a sand beach in Florida.
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No-Till Fields Need Phosphorus, Cover Crops

March 23, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: Ohio State University Extension
Left untilled, fields gain organic matter and maintain high yields, but there’s a tradeoff to consider when deciding not to till. Fields that aren’t tilled are less likely to erode, sending soil and the components of fertilizer, including phosphorus, downstream, a threat to water quality. Read more in this article from The Ohio State University Extension.
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Economic Incentives of Soil Health are Growing

March 23, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: Farm Talk
As soil health takes on a higher profile with food companies and consumers, various avenues are emerging for farmers to collect environmental incentives. The growing number of soil health programs can seem overwhelming, but one farmer and soil health advocate believes it’s a case of more is better. Read more in this article from Farm Talk.
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Cooling Off Soils with Covers Yields Success

Cover crops have helped Myron Johnson boost soil organic matter and retain crucial soil moisture in Alabama’s humid, subtropical climate.
By Sarah Hill posted on March 23, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
From an early age farming is what Myron Johnson knew would be his occupation. But dryland farming near Headland, Ala., isn’t easy: retaining moisture, keeping the soil cool and keeping weeds away are constant challenges.
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Tips on Cover Crop Termination

March 20, 2020 | Posted in Termination
Source: Ohio's Country Journal
The 2019 growing season came and went and left many fields in a state of disarray heading into 2020. Many growers that were unable to plant decided to use cover crops, to reduce soil erosion and provide some weed suppression during the extended fallow period. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.
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Choose Cover Crop Varieties Carefully When Making Hay

March 20, 2020 | Posted in Grazing
Source: AgriNews
For alfalfa producers needing to renovate fields suffering from winterkill or looking to increase the quality and yield of this season’s hay crop, improved cover crop varieties are a viable solution. Take berseem clover, for example. The synergistic relationship between berseem clover and alfalfa make the legume an effective companion crop due to its rapid summer growth, notable nitrogen fixation and similar appearance. Read more in this article from AgriNews.
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Poor Soil Health Causes Compaction, Poor Soil Structure

March 16, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health
Source: Ohio's Country Journal
Engineers insist that soil compaction is caused by wheel traffic (true) but it also comes from excessive tillage, rain (think hard driving rains) and gravity (to a lesser degree). Soil compaction is poor soil structure due to a lack of roots and active carbon (soil organic matter, SOM) from root exudates. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.
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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.

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Cover Cropping in Integrated Farming Systems

Cover Cropping in Integrated Farming Systems

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.

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