Outfitted with a Gandy applicator, this 20-foot used rotary hoe successfully interseeded annual ryegrass and hairy vetch into standing corn at the V5 stage.
Cover crop adoption has been a little slower in parts of the Great Plains, possibly more over fear of the unknown than actual poor outcomes seen by growers. But researchers reviewing decades of cover-crop studies say there are plenty of benefits to covers, whether you farm in the warm southern Plains or cooler prairies of western Canada.
Early termination, inclusion of legume species and a little patience might be what's needed to make green manures and cover crops work in the drier areas of the U.S. without dinging yields and profits.
It looks like the cover-crop movement continues to build steam in the U.S., as growers are seeding them to reduce erosion, fix or scavenge nutrients, improve soil biological activity and the like.
Having no-tilled soybeans for many years, Gordon and Jeff Smiley faced a more difficult task 4 years ago, switching to no-tilled corn instead of holding on to their conventional system.
No-tiller Steve Pope is working with cover crops and interseeding on the family’s Oklahoma farm to improve crop diversity, reduce weed pressure and rebuild worn-out soils.
Iowa no-tiller Roger Harrington has seen his share of challenges with covers, but has found a combination that saves soil, adds nitrogen and reduces erosion and weed pressure.
Like many no-tillers, Roger Harrington likes seeding cover crops to improve organic matter, fix nitrogen (N) in the soil and reduce erosion, weed pressure and compaction.
No-tillers just starting to use annual ryegrass should follow a few simple rules to take advantage of this cover crop’s compaction-busting, nitrogen-scavenging benefits.
With its prolific root system and economical price tag, annual ryegrass is one of the most popular cover crops no-tillers have at their disposal. It’s also gotten a bad rap for being tough to manage, says Dan Towery.
Iowa no-tiller Joe Kriegel uses cereal rye and frost-seeded red clover in a rotation with corn and soybeans to reduce erosion, improve soil fertility and rescue heavily tilled fields.
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.
Earlier this week we paid another visit to this year’s Conservation Ag Operator Fellow, Ray McCormick in Vincennes, Ind., and one thing about Ray is that even when it’s the “off season,” he’s still thinking ahead for next season.