Category Archives: Soil Quality

Ryegrass Cover Crop Works Well for ASA Conservation Award Winner

Soil health is the main focus at Wenning Farms, in the rolling hills and tight clay soils of southeastern Indiana. The family operates more than 600 acres in a corn/soybean rotation. Roger Wenning, the son of the founder of the … Continue reading

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Tracking N Loss in Midwest – Look at Cover Crops!

Studying the retention of inorganic N after last year’s drought was revealing. An Illinois team of researchers determined from 151 samples statewide that an average equivalent of 140 lb of N per acre was left over from 2012! (More than … Continue reading

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Great Article about Soil Health – NoTill & Cover Crops are Key

Check out this great article in the recent edition of Furrow, published by John Deere Company.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Towery to Lead Cover Crop Discussion at National No-Till Conference

On the No-Till Farmer website today, an announcement about the upcoming National No-Tillage Conference (Jan 9 – 12, 2013, at the Indianapolis Hyatt Regency) If you’re attending the Jan. 9 to 12 event at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis, … Continue reading

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