There are many benefits cover crops offer when they are properly established. These benefits range from protecting soil, to reducing run-off of soil particles in an effort to retain nutrients, to increasing soil productivity and overall farm profitability. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

BASF Vice President of U.S. Crop Protection Scott Kay lead the discussion featuring farmers Dan Luepkes (Illinois) and Kelly Garrett (Iowa). The panel shared insights on pushing the boundaries of productivity, driving innovation and increasing collaboration.

Some farmers are still debating whether to plant soybeans after wheat harvest. Double crop soybeans are risky but high soybean prices, early summer planting and good weather favor farmers taking the risk. Read more in this article from the Crescent News (Defiance, OH).

Now is the time to make plans for cover crop planting if you have not already done so. There are several cover crop species that are often talked about, however, cereal rye, oats and radish are the most commonly used cover crops. Read more in this article from Iowa State University.

Are you looking for cover crops to fill a fallow period as small grains, snap beans, or other crops are harvested? Extension agronomist Heidi Reed explains that establishing cover crops in summer grants an opportunity to branch out beyond our fall-planted standbys. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

USDA's crop progress report for the week ended August 22 reported 41% of corn dented, in line with the 41% reported dented in the same week last year. The 5-year average for corn dented in this week was 38%.

USDA's crop progress report for the week ended August 15 reported 22% of corn dented, above the 21% reported dented in the same week last year. The 5-year average for corn dented in this week was 22%.

In recent years, utilization of cover crops for fall forage after wheat and corn silage harvest has become more common, as opposed to letting fields lay fallow until planting of subsequent the spring crop. While these mixtures are not usually planted until August or early September, it is important to get a game plan ready in advance. Read more in this article from the Beatrice Daily Sun (Beatrice, NE).

USDA's crop progress report for the week ended August 8 reported 8% of corn dented, below the 10% reported dented in the same week last year. The 5-year average for corn dented in this week was 11%.

Cover crops—which are typically added to a crop rotation in between two commodity or forage crops—provide living, seasonal soil cover with a variety of on-farm benefits, such as increased soil moisture capacity, improved nutrient cycling, and weed suppression. Cover crops can also provide public benefits by reducing sediment loss, nutrient runoff, and leaching; reducing flooding; and storing carbon in the soil. Read more in this article from USDA Economic Research Service.