Iowa State University Extension

Cover Crops Help Southwest Iowa Farmer Improve Soil

By Jeff DeYoung posted on December 19, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ag Update

Jon Bakehouse didn’t jump right into planting cover crops. Instead, he did a lot of research before finally giving it a try several years ago.

Grazing Cover Crops with Spring in Full Force

April 24, 2023 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Iowa State University

Calves, robins, geese, vultures… all signs confirming spring’s arrival in Iowa. The green up can feel like it arrived in hours, and it really is changing by the hour. Rye is among the first species to break winter dormancy and grows when temperatures reach 38 degrees F. While how fast the growth comes depends on multiple factors like growing degree days and moisture, in general, triticale and wheat tend to lag behind rye about two weeks.

Cover Crops Profitable When Livestock Added

By Sarah Hill posted on November 5, 2021 | Posted in Economics

One of the reasons growers choose not to use cover crops is because they don’t think the practice is profitable. However, like with any crop, it all comes down to each individual choice by a grower as to whether covers will be successful.

[Video] Prep Your Planter: Closing Wheel Alignment

May 18, 2021 | Posted in Product Innovations & Introductions

Before you start planting, check out this video from Iowa State University Extension. Program Specialist Levi Powell demonstrates what you need to look for on the closing wheels of your planter.

[Video] Checking Depth Settings on Your Planter

May 12, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Find out a simple process to check the planter depth settings before heading to the field in this video from Iowa State University Extension. Proper depth when planting can increase planting accuracy.

[Podcast] Controlling Waterhemp with Cover Crops

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Meghan Anderson, Field Agronomist with Iowa State University Extension. Anderson will discuss why waterhemp has become so difficult to control in recent years, how growers can identify waterhemp, how cover crops can be leveraged against waterhemp, and more.

April 13, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Meghan Anderson, Field Agronomist with Iowa State University Extension. Anderson will discuss why waterhemp has become so difficult to control in recent years, how growers can identify waterhemp, how cover crops can be leveraged against waterhemp, and more.

Frigid Temps May Cause Problems with Covers

March 1, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Iowa Farmer Today

With many cover crops planted into dry soils, particularly in western Iowa, there may not have been ideal germination or growth before winter. With the addition of sub-zero temperatures, fields will need to have enough snow cover for the cover crop to survive. Read more in this article from Iowa Farmer Today.

[Video] Basics of Determining Soil Health

November 11, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

In this video from Iowa State University Extension, find out what tools you need to conduct a visual assessment of soil health, why assessing soil health should be done over time, where soil health should be evaluated in a field, and more.

[Podcast] Comparing 30, 60-Inch Rows with Cover Crops

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Mike Witt, a field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension. Witt discusses several areas of cover crop research, including comparing 30 and 60-inch rows, interseeding cover crops, weed suppression, and grazing cover crops.

October 15, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Mike Witt, a field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension. Witt discusses several areas of cover crop research, including comparing 30 and 60-inch rows, interseeding cover crops, weed suppression, and grazing cover crops.

Cover Crops Provide High Quality Forage

June 17, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Lincoln Journal Star

While cover crops are not a new concept for farmers, Erika Lundy said she has been impressed with the amount of adaptation and implementation she has seen over the past few years. Lundy, a beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension, said one of the major benefits of cover crops is providing high-quality forage for cattle with high protein and energy levels. Read more in this article from the Lincoln Journal Star.