soil health benefits

Census Data Shows Number of Farmers Using Cover Crops for Soil Health is Growing

By Chris Hardie posted on April 23, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

The lifeblood of any farmer is the soil that provides their livelihood, so taking care of it has to be a top priority.

Fall Planted Cover Crops Can Break a Corn Soybean Rotation & Improve Soil Health

By Michelle Rook posted on October 9, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgWeb

As the combines start rolling across the country farmers are focused on taking the crops off the land. However, it's a great time for farmers to also be thinking about planting cover crops to help them improve soil health.

Roots, Another Important Aspect of Cover Crops

By Vesh R. Thapa posted on September 26, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources — CropWatch

Recognizing that the cover crop impact extends beneath the soil’s surface is crucial.

[Podcast] Soil Life Needs Food — Like Cover Crops

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Richard Purdin, Ag & Natural Resource Educator with The Ohio State University. Purdin will discuss factors to consider when starting out with cover crops, the economic benefits of cover crops, the soil health benefits of covers, and more.

July 9, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Richard Purdin, Ag & Natural Resource Educator with The Ohio State University. Purdin will discuss factors to consider when starting out with cover crops, the economic benefits of cover crops, the soil health benefits of covers, and more.

Adding Hay to Your Crop Rotation

August 5, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

The soil health benefits of having a perennial forage in the crop rotation are better than any cover crop, because its living roots are in the soil for much longer. Hay prices have been strong over the last couple of years, and there is always a market for high-quality hay. Read more in this article from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.

Integrating Covers, Livestock is a Profit Opportunity

May 20, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: South Dakota State University Extension

Cover crops have been gaining a reemerging acceptance over the last decade, with very few producers disagreeing about the potential soil health benefits of adding cover crops to their farming operation. However, with low commodity prices producers are trying to reduce expenses on inputs, especially on inputs with a varying or unknown return. Read more in this article from South Dakota State University Extension.

Cover Crops Boost Yields and Weed Control, National Farmer Survey Says

September 15, 2017

Source: SARE Outreach

Following the use of cover crops, farmers reported increased yields of corn, soybeans and wheat, and improved control of herbicide-resistant weeds, according to a nationwide survey. In addition, the survey of 2,012 farmers showed acreage planted in cover crops has nearly doubled over the past five years.

Cover Crop Cocktails in a Forage-Based System

February 6, 2013 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: TheBeefSite.com

Regular hay and silage cutting leads plant residues diminishing at the detriment of soil health, but a farming family in North Dakota profess to have a solution, reports the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.