More Land Required to Produce Cover Crop Seed

July 15, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: Seed World

The growth in cover cropping may soon hit a ceiling: planting millions of acres of cover crops will require huge extensions of land to produce cover crop seed. Between 3 and 6% of the 92 million acres of cropping land currently used for corn in the U.S. may be required to produce cover crop seed for that land area. Read more in this article from Seed World.

Cover Crops Have Economic Impact on Cash Crops

October 15, 2019 | Posted in Economics

Source: University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

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.

Cover Crops After Corn Need More Time

September 27, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

Cover crops have to produce a certain amount of growth, or biomass, in order to effectively reduce erosion and soil nutrient loss, suppress weeds, and supply forage. Several studies have indicated a threshold or minimum biomass (dry matter) of 1,000 lb/ac, which is similar to 6 to 8 inches of above-ground growth, although more biomass will likely lead to better outcomes. Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

Partnership on Ground Floor of Cover Crop Trials

July 31, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: AgriNews

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planted acreage report indicated nationwide 15.3 million intended corn acres and 33 million intended soybean acres remained unplanted through the first two weeks of June, according to this article from AgriNews.

Follow the Rules When Planting Oats as a Cover Crop

July 24, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: South Dakota State University Extension

As a challenging row crop planting season finally wraps up for 2019 in South Dakota, many producers are looking to plant cover crops on unplanted acres to provide forage, control weeds, reduce erosion and improve soil health, according to a press release from South Dakota State University Extension.

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