Proponents say that rotating cash crops such as soybeans, wheat and corn with cover crops such as legumes, grasses and forbs has many benefits. It replenishes the soil, reduces erosion, cuts down on runoff pollution and helps to control pests. Read more in this article from University of Missouri.
More than 30 speakers — from farmers to precision experts to agronomists — will share their secrets for building more profitable, resilient no-till systems at the 28th annual National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis, Mo.
October 15, 2019
Behind the theme “Banking More Profits with No-Till,” the National No-Tillage Conference (NNTC) returns to St. Louis in January with an agenda packed with in-depth sessions on every facet of successful no-till systems.
For those who planted small grains, in particular oats, on prevented plant acres with the intention of harvesting for supplemental forage, that harvest time is approaching. Some questions regarding rust and potential nitrate toxicity have been raised in the context of the approaching harvest. Read more in this article from This Week Community News (Columbus, Ohio).
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has announced the creation of the Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA), a new center that brings together agricultural producers, researchers, and industries to innovate on the technology that is transforming agriculture to feed and support a growing global population. The center, which launched at the Center for Digital Agriculture Industry Conference, seeks to develop digital solutions to agricultural roadblocks.
2019 has been a tough year for growers. Heavy rains and flooding throughout the Central Plains and Midwest have made planting extremely difficult, resulting in a significant increase in the number of prevented planting acres above the average. Many growers are looking to alternatives to protect their soil and possibly provide additional income, such as planting cover crops or planting for sileage. Read more in this article from Seed World.
The announcement by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), enables farmers who plant cover crops on prevented plant acres to hay, graze, ensile, or chop those fields earlier than November 1. For 2019, RMA will allow farmers to make forage on prevent plant acres after Sept. 1. Find out more in this article from the News Gazette (Winchester, Indiana).
It has been a challenge for many producers to reduce weed production on prevent plant acres as rains continues to dampen fields this year. Kent Vlieger, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil Health Specialist, Huron, urges growers to forgo tillage and plant cereal crops to aid in controlling weeds this fall. Read more in this press release from NRCS.
Cereals, soybeans, and silage corn are all being harvested, or will be soon! That bare ground provides an opportunity to boost forage inventories by double cropping with a winter cereal, while getting all the benefits of a cover crop in the rotation. Read more in this article from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.
There are many cover crop seed choices when planting after small grain harvest or on prevent plant fields. You can get complex with various mixtures or keep it simple. Read more in this article from the Sentinel-Tribune.
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.