Can Taller Cover Crops Lead to Cleaner Water?

By Brian Devore posted on March 4, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health, Investing in Regenerative Ag, Economics, Termination

Source: Civil Eats

In 2022, Olmsted County commissioners Mark Thein and Gregg Wright approached staffers in the local soil and water conservation district office and asked a seemingly straightforward question: How can we keep nitrates out of the groundwater?

Water Quality & Cover Crops

February 19, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Cover crops can directly impact water quality. With all the attention being given to improving water quality and reducing nutrient loads going into Ohio’s waterways, farmers are encouraged to consider a multifaceted approach of best management practices (BMP’s) that include the use of cover crops. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Money Making with Covers

December 14, 2020 | Posted in Economics

Source: Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA)

Every year we learn more about the soil saving and water quality protecting benefits of cover crops. A cover crop protects the soil surface from erosion. Read more in this article from the Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA).

Cover Crops After a Drought Can Impact Water Quality

October 19, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Aberdeen News

The dry conditions throughout large areas of Iowa during 2020 reminds us of Iowa’s last significant drought in 2012 and the subsequent impacts on nitrate-N levels in subsurface drainage the following spring. There is a risk of elevated fall soil nitrate levels due to dry conditions this growing season. Read more in this article from the Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD).

Midwest Cover Crops Council Updates Decision Tool

October 14, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Purdue University press release

The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) is rolling out an improved cover crop selection tool that will help farmers make decisions. Users select their state/province and county and then select the goals they have for cover crops — erosion control, nitrogen scavenger, fighting weeds and providing forage, etc. Read more in this press release from Purdue University.

Cover Crops May Have Value as Cattle Feed

August 9, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Feedstuffs

Cover crops are known to protect soil and water quality, but they also can offer valuable livestock feed, according to Iowa State University research. Find out more in this article from Feedstuffs.

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Ray McCormick’s Conservation Buffer

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.

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