Nematodes. Some types of these microscopic roundworms can be beneficial, but some are also parasites, causing serious damage to plant roots or even killing crops. There has been some research published about the ability of cover crops to manage plant-parasitic nematodes, since the roundworms can only move very short distances on their own.
John Burk and his father farm 2,500 acres of corn, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat in Bay City, Mich. They pair different cover crops with a variety of cash crops to achieve soil benefits, including red clover, oilseed radish, oats and rye.
Growers with livestock can improve soil health and increase forage production by moving animals more frequently, controlling field access and increasing recovery times for plants, says grazing consultant Allen Williams.
As Allen Williams sees it, the world’s “oldest watering system” is the symbiotic relationship between plants and the soil, which mediates 90% of plant function.
The National Strip-Tillage Conference returns August 8-9, 2024!Build and refine your strip-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 11th Annual National Strip-Tillage Conference in Madison, Wis. Aug. 8-9, 2024. Experience an energizing 2-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led Strip-Till Classrooms and collaborative Strip-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.
I’m in Sacramento, Calif., this week at FIRA USA and we’re just going to get right into it. Why don’t you take a look at some of the newest and most exciting Ag technology on display at this year’s conference.