improve soil health

Cover Crop Considerations for Early Fall

September 7, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Late summer and early fall are great opportunities to plant cover crops and improve soil health. Days are shorter, but with ample sunshine left and a little rain, cover crops grow quickly. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Policy Budget for Cover Crops & the Lesson of Crop Insurance

February 1, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Illinois Extension

Current evidence largely suggests cover crops do not raise yields or returns in the first years of adoption. It is unclear if they will raise returns or lower risk over time. Read more in this article from University of Illinois Farmdoc.

Better Cover Management

January 26, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: KMA Radio

Cover crops are widely seen as one of the most promising conservation practices, improving soil health while also removing carbon from the atmosphere. But while the number of Midwestern farmers planting cover crops has increased markedly in recent years, 2017 USDA Census data show only about 5% have adopted the conservation practice. Read more in this article from KMA Land.

Canadian Study Looks to Improve Yields Through Cover Crop Trials

December 3, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Guelph Today

Greater yields and improved soil health, with an eye on sustainable farming practices. That’s what researchers at the University of Guelph are looking for in a long-term cover cropping research project currently underway. Read more in this article from Guelph Today.

Crop Insurance Isn’t Holding Growers Back From Using Covers

By Sarah Hill posted on December 2, 2021

Crop insurance has been perceived as a barrier to growers adopting the use of cover crops to improve their soil health and minimize risk, but that is not the case, according to a peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Environmental Management.

New Edition of Cover Crop Field Guide Released

November 19, 2021 | Posted in Economics

Source: News release

The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC), composed of representatives from 12 Midwest states and the province of Ontario, agricultural stakeholders and universities, including Purdue, is releasing a new edition of the Cover Crops Field Guide. The popular pocket-size in-field reference helps growers effectively select, grow and use cover crops.

How Cover Crops Affect Soil Water, Nitrogen, Oxygen Dynamics

October 27, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Illinois Extension

Cover crops are widely seen as one of the most promising conservation practices, improving soil health while also removing carbon from the atmosphere. But while the number of Midwestern farmers planting cover crops has increased markedly in recent years, 2017 USDA Census data show only about 5% have adopted the conservation practice. Read more in this article from the University of Illinois.

Purdue Ag Economy Barometer Finds That Most Growers Still New to Using Cover Crops

Out of 400 large-acreage growers surveyed, 41% are currently seeding covers on their operations.

By Sarah Hill posted on October 7, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

The practice of using cover crops still has plenty of room for growth, according to the results of the August Purdue Ag Economy Barometer. Forty-one percent of growers with production of more than $500,000 annually said they are currently using cover crops, while 65% of growers responded that they had either used cover crops in the past or were currently using covers.

Cover Crop Considerations

September 15, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Capital Journal (Pierre, SD)

Now is the time to think about fitting a cover crop into your rotation. There are many different advantages to using cover crops including reducing pest pressures, keeping the soil protected, recycling nutrients, adding organic matter, additional forage opportunities, and more. Read more in this article from the Capital Journal (Pierre, SD).

How to Avoid Soil Compaction When Grazing Covers

July 14, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Lancaster Farming

Cover crops are considered one of the most effective and economical ways to improve soil health. It is important, however, to avoid causing excessive compaction that could negatively affect following crop yield and increase runoff and erosion. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.