Author Archives: Tim Buckley

Annual Ryegrass Control – Tips for Qualtity Results with Herbicide

Now’s the Time to Begin to Take Out Your Annual Ryegrass Cover Crop 1. Timing is important. Late March – Mid April, depending on Midwest location a. Burndown when the plant is 6 – 12”, before 1st node develops b. … Continue reading

Posted in Dan's Digs, General Information, Soil Quality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Annual Ryegrass Seed Can Be Viable in the Field for Three Years

I’ve heard from some producers that, even after killing their annual ryegrass cover crop successfully in the spring, some new plants will come up in the field later that same year or the following year. Here’s what I’ve learned about … Continue reading

Posted in Dan's Digs | Leave a comment

Annual Ryegrass Control

Timely Tips for Termination 1. Timing is important. Late March – Mid April, depending on Midwest location a. Burndown when the plant is 6 – 12”, before 1st node develops b. Allow 5 – 7 days after annual ryegrass has … Continue reading

Posted in General Information | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Careful Management of Annual Ryegrass Burndown

The use of seed blends for annual ryegrass cover cropping may not be the best idea. Here’s why: Each variety of annual ryegrass has certain characteristics for growth, including how quickly it comes out of dormancy in the spring. And … Continue reading

Posted in Dan's Digs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

COVER CROPS MAKE A COME BACK

At the recent Ag Connect Expo & Summit (ACES) in Kansas City a survey conducted by Case IH, found that 85 percent of the 1,109 producer respondents are considering new cropping practices and technologies for this year’s growing season. Here’s … Continue reading

Posted in General Information, Soil Quality | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No-Till Farmer Magazine Broadcasts Tips on Cover Crops

No-Till Magazine’s article on cover crops is more cautionary than informative: it is helpful in advising Midwest corn and soybean growers to know where your cover crop seed comes from and make sure that what’s on the label is actually … Continue reading

Posted in General Information | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ryegrass, Clover, Radish are Top Picks for Post 2012 Drought Cover Crops

Annual ryegrass, crimson clover and radish are among the most popular cover crops this year in the Midwest, as farmers rushed to plant something to absorb some of the available nitrogen still in the soil. The drought stifled the corn … Continue reading

Posted in General Information, Soil Quality | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iowa Study Trumpets Ag Practices to Build Yield, Sustain Profit & Decrease Chemical Use

An Iowa University ag study determined that long rotations is as profitable and more productive for soil and the environment. Yet, the move away from conventional tillage is slow. Here’s part of the article, which you can see entirely by … Continue reading

Posted in Dan's Digs, General Information, Soil Quality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annual Ryegrass Cover Crop Improves Soil Microbiology

This beautiful stand of annual ryegrass, crimson clover, and radish is ready to burn down. Barry Fisher NRCS State Agronomist preaches soil health from the pit. This pit had the highest count of earthworms, egg casings, and channels that I … Continue reading

Posted in General Information, Soil Quality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Soil and Water Improvements with No-Till and Cover Crops

From No-Till Farmer online, an article about the reduction of nutrients in Chesapeake Bay with conservation ag practices. Note, at the bottom, the finding about cover crop adoption being able to make significant additional contributions. USDA-NRCS released an assessment of … Continue reading

Posted in General Information, Soil Quality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment