Cover Crops

Learn how you can use cover crops to slow erosion, boost soil health, scavenge and hold nutrients, improve water quality, and control pests, weeds, and diseases. This section outlines the different types of cover crops as well as management tips for planting and terminating.

Relay cropping proves its worth

Growing soybeans and cereal rye together boosts profits and aids watersheds.

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Study shows positive economic returns from no-till and cover crops

The benefits of no-till and cover crops to soil health are well known. However, the economic advantages of the two practices are harder to quantify.

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No-till and cover crops yield success in a northern setting

Greg Amundson’s years of growing cover crops in northeastern North Dakota have shown him that cover crops can indeed thrive that far north.

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Tools

Tools of the Year 2021: Shop Essentials

By Top Shops

We searched the latest innovations from manufacturers for a tool chest of necessities on the farm and ranch.

Shop essentials

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Machinery Insider

An increase in trailer listings is good news for buyers

By Machinery Insider

Used hopper bottom prices have been exceptionally strong the past five to six years even when other farm equipment was depressed.

Article

Women in Agriculture

Q&A: Katherine Marcano-Bell, Dominican Republic native and Iowa farmer

By Women in Agriculture

Katherine Marcano-Bell initially worked off the farm but now farms with her husband, Brandon, and their two sons near Keota, Iowa.

29467_katherine

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Manure and cover crops

Manure is the world’s most abundant fertilizer. It’s mutually beneficial with cover crops to improve soil and hang on to soil nutrients.

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Wet Spring Cover Crop Strategy

If it’s a wet spring in your area, let the cover crops grow a little longer. This strategy can help get your cash crops in the ground.

Audio

Strategize cover crops like cash crops

Cover crop planting date and species can be strategized to optimize the growing season.

Green leaves of cover crops growing up between the withered grass and crops

Article

Terminating Spring Cover Crops

As planting season gets closer, have a plan for terminating over-wintered cover crops. And keep an eye on the weather.

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Prioritize soil health to restore profitability and open new doors

Lance Klessig, certified crop adviser and farmer, teaches the five soil health principles and how they play out in a whole-farm setting.

Article

How to keep nitrogen in the soil where it belongs

Cover crops can be effective in helping to reduce nitrate concentration in a year following a drought.

Article

News News

Harvest finally begins in the last 3 corn growing states

‘Very high’ crop fire danger for northwest Iowa

Tennessee made more corn harvest progress than any other state last week

3 Big Things Today, October 4, 2022

Crop Talk