September 13, 2025

Farm Advisors: Balancing soil, wildlife and crop performance

By Ray McCormick
Ray McCormick has served as a mentor for farmers with the goal of helping them step into a lifetime of conservation. His farm among the rolling hills and river bottoms of southern Knox County is living proof that conservation pays in yields, resilience and peace of mind.

Ray McCormick has served as a mentor for farmers with the goal of helping them step into a lifetime of conservation. His farm among the rolling hills and river bottoms of southern Knox County is living proof that conservation pays in yields, resilience and peace of mind. (Provided photo)

Why wouldn’t you want to farm the land in a way that builds soil biodiversity, delivers a return on investment and restores wildlife habitat?

I’ve spent nearly 40 years demonstrating that no-till farming and related conservation practices can do just that.

My operation in Vincennes consists of corn, soybeans and wheat, Simmental cattle and a mix of woodlands and wetlands. Each acre on my farm serves multiple purposes with farming, conservation and wildlife habitat all working together.

I make sure I’m not just relying on one conservation practice. I plant cover crops on 100% of my land and maintain conservation buffers along every stream.

I’ve seen tremendous benefits from these practices. Cover crops help reduce nutrient loss, improve water infiltration and boost weed control and crop yields.

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. Go online to farmadvisors.ag, or scan this QR code.

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. Go online to farmadvisors.ag, or scan this QR code.

We are also able to raise cattle because of cover crops. There is an economic and environmental benefit to integrating cattle grazing into our operation.

The conservation buffers along my streams feature native prairie grasses and pollinators. The buffers also keep nutrients out of the water and provide wildlife habitat.

Instead of seeing a tilled field eroding away, I get to drive down the road and see a hawk working the field, hear bobwhite quail calling, or watch ducks fly out of the cover.

Looking back, I was able to get started with no-till and cover crops with the help of a mentor who told me what to do. Through the years I’ve learned from mistakes and adjusted accordingly.

Today, there is a network of Farm Advisors across the state ready to share practical advice and knowledge with a farmer interested in implementing similar conservation practices. No cost to you. Just conversation.

Visit farmadvisors.ag.

BeefConservationCornCover CropsFarmlandGrazingLivestockPollinatorsSoil HealthSoybeansWater QualityWeedsWetlandsWheatWildlife