Cover crops - Articles

Strip-Tillers Leverage Financial Assistance to Tackle Top Challenges

By Brandon O'Connor posted on November 6, 2024 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Cover Crops, Soil Health

Source: USDA

After enrolling with the Midwest Climate-Smart Commodity Program, Bryan Biegler put the financial assistance to good use and made the jump from 100 acres of cover crops in 2022, to covering all 2,500 acres in 2023. He has also adopted strip-till practices throughout his farm and is looking to take the practice even further by adopting vertical tillage.

New On-Farm Trial Compares Nitrogen Sidedress Rates in Strip-Till Corn

November 1, 2024 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Source: Ohio State Extension

The trial resulted in a significant difference in yield response to the varied nitrogen rates. A rate of 54 gallons of 28% UAN per acre led to an increase of an average of 5.1 bushels per acre compared to a rate of 37 gallons of 28% UAN per acre. However, the higher rate of nitrogen incurred a relative loss of $28.05 per acre.

Iowa Learning Farms Hosting Strip-Till, Cover Crops & Intercropping Field Day

October 31, 2024 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Seeding & Planting

Host Jay Lynch began adopting a no-till/strip-till system about 15 years ago on his family’s Century Farm and has discovered that the key to higher yield potential, enhanced soil tilth, and effective conservation revolves around soil health.

How Strip-Till is Helping Reduce Nutrient Runoff & Algae Toxins in Lake Erie

By Joshua A. Bickel and Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos posted on October 25, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health, Water Management

Source: Phys.org

Bill Kellogg is trying to do something about the chronic algae blooms in America's southernmost Great Lake. Instead of scattering fertilizer atop his fields, Kellogg now uses a strip till machine that knifes fertilizer pellets 8 inches into the soil — deep enough that heavy rains won't wash it away.

Innovative Strip-Till System Targets Long-Term Profitability

Strip-tiller dials back fertilizer rates, increases efficiency by 35% & eliminates weeds with cover crops on organic acres

By Noah Newman posted on October 21, 2024 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

When Mark Dobson was a kid, his granddad once told him, “You’re always about 20 years ahead of where you need to be, when we’re enjoying the moment.”

Lessons Learned from 20-Plus Years of On-Farm Research

Strip-Till Innovator puts cover crops, equipment, manure applications & multiple field passes to the test

By Tom Truelove posted on October 18, 2024 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

“The conservation stewardship contract was a boon because that yielded us $138,000, so the machine was paid for, and I even had enough money left over to take my wife to Dairy Queen. What a deal,” David Legvold says.

Strip-Till Intel: 5 Takeaways from Summer Trade Shows

New products aim to maximize strip-till productivity in tough soil conditions

By Noah Newman posted on October 18, 2024 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment

The spotlight shined bright on strip-till during the summer trade show circuit in 2024. Strip-Till Farmer editors walked an average of 16,000 steps daily at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.

How Cover Crops Respond to Various Herbicides

By Sarah Lancaster posted on October 17, 2024 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

Source: Kansas State Extension

A number of factors, including biological and biochemical characteristics of the plant, chemical characteristics of the herbicide, and weather conditions since herbicide application will influence cover crop response to herbicides.

Thinking About Reducing Tillage in the Spring? Start Preparing in the Fall

October 15, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Michigan State University

Reducing tillage has been one of the most common recommendations made to improve soil health over time and reduce erosion risk. However, this broad-brush suggestion is no easy feat.