August 31, 2025

Farm Advisors: Conservation efforts take time, but they’re worth it

By Tom McKinney
Tom McKinney encourages corn and soybean growers to contact the new Farm Advisors program to talk one-on-one with other farmers about no-till, cover crops and other proven soil health techniques.

Tom McKinney encourages corn and soybean growers to contact the new Farm Advisors program to talk one-on-one with other farmers about no-till, cover crops and other proven soil health techniques. (Provided photo)

I grew up on my family’s corn and soybean farm in Kempton in central Indiana and returned to the operation after graduating from Purdue University.

Today, the operation consists of seed soybeans, non-GMO soybeans that are exported as whole beans, and high oleic soybeans, as well as commercial corn for ethanol.

Over the years we’ve explored the environmental and economic benefits of adjusting management practices to include conservation.

Farm Advisors connects farmers with similar goals — by phone, by text or in person, whatever is most comfortable. The program is coordinated by the state’s corn and soybean checkoff programs and will also host two meetings a year to share ideas, attend workshops and distribute new information.

Farm Advisors connects farmers with similar goals — by phone, by text or in person, whatever is most comfortable. The program is coordinated by the state’s corn and soybean checkoff programs and will also host two meetings a year to share ideas, attend workshops and distribute new information.

We wondered if there was a better way to be productive while improving soil health. Cover crops are a good example.

About six years ago, we started planting a few acres of cover crops and are increasing that amount each year. We want to evolve, adapt and improve, just like farmers always do.

With a 50/50 crop rotation, I have a strip tillage system for corn and a nearly complete no-tillage system for soybeans into standing cornstalks. I also seed cover crops with a vertical till, minimum disturbance tool.

McKinney Farms in Tipton County consists of several thousand acres of seed soybeans, non-GMO soybeans that are exported as whole beans, and high oleic soybeans, as well as commercial corn for ethanol.

McKinney Farms in Tipton County consists of several thousand acres of seed soybeans, non-GMO soybeans that are exported as whole beans, and high oleic soybeans, as well as commercial corn for ethanol. (Provided photo)

I plant cereal rye into 500 to 600 corn and soybean acres which can scavenge nutrients like nitrogen, reduce soil erosion and increase soil organic matter.

I’ve learned that as long as you get an even seeding and emergence, cereal rye suppresses weeds — and because of that we don’t do any fall burndown where we seed cereal rye.

I’ve also learned that cover crops are a long-term game. If you talk to a farmer who is no-tilling or implementing other conservation practices, they will tell you it takes a few years of changing the biology of the soil to see yield results — we’re getting there and trusting the process.

Looking to try some of these practices on your own farm? Visit farmadvisors.ag to connect with a farmer who has been there.

Community ContributedCornCover CropsEthanolNitrogenOpinionPurdue UniversityScienceSeedSoil HealthSoybeansWeeds