Articles by Libby Wawzenek

Cover Crops

Long-Term Cover Cropping 'Reinvigorates' Iowa Farmer's Soils

Jeff Olson is protecting soil and improving water infiltration with a mixed bag of application methods and plenty of patience.

By Libby Wawzenek posted on November 4, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Jeff Olson of Winfield, Iowa, certainly sees the benefits of employing cover crops — not only in terms of his yields, but also how they have reinvigorated the soil.

6 Tips for Establishing Cover Crops with a Grain Drill

Agronomy experts laud consistency of drilling but remind farmers to keep in mind goals, residue, timing and equipment calibration.

By Libby Wawzenek posted on June 1, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Farmers who decide to plant a cover crop have multiple seeding options available. However, Sara Bauder contends that drilling remains the most reliable choice.

Pigweed Management Gets Easier with Cover Crops

Soybean and cotton growers may utilize cereal rye to control herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth, waterhemp.

By Libby Wawzenek posted on May 30, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Economics

Farmers have a variety of tools at their disposal for managing weed populations in their fields. However, when it comes to pigweed, the options available can be frustratingly limited.

Buffering the Soil with Long-Term Covers

Jeff Olson is protecting the soil and improving water infiltration with a mixed bag of application methods and plenty of patience.

By Libby Wawzenek posted on July 23, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Jeff Olson isn’t afraid to step outside his comfort zone. A 5th-generation corn and soybean farmer in Winfield, Iowa, Olson attributes part of his willingness to take risks and try new things to his years of experience.

Develop Mutually Agreeable Lease Terms to Reap Soil Health, Yield Rewards

Tenants and landlords should work together to resolve the many logistics around cover crops, including the number of acres planted, expenses, profits and other issues.

By Libby Wawzenek posted on July 22, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Statistics show that cover crop adoption is on the rise across the U.S. There was a 50% increase in the amount of land on which farmers planted cover crops between 2012 and 2017, according to the USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Videos

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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