Cover crops

With the rains last weekend, the progress on soybean harvest this week was much slower. We switched the combine back to corn and knocked out a custom high-moisture corn job for my relatives that farm next to us.

Well, it’s definitely fall. With the changing weather patterns, it’s making it hard to combine beans because we get a rain just about the time they dry out. But the rain is helping the cover crops grow in a different field, almost too much.

Farmers were slightly more optimistic about the economy in August compared to July, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer rose four points to a reading of 138.

Bolstered by partnerships with two major agricultural companies and increasing interest in its product, Indigo Ag’s carbon program continues to grow.

The fall decorating season is upon us. Youths will make beautiful custom wreaths in a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 28 at the University of Illinois Extension Education Center and Community Teaching Kitchen, 944 First St., La Salle.

Implementation of cover crops will play a major role in reaching the goals established by the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and a farm organization is helping to deliver that message directly to farmers this summer.

Indiana farmers planted nearly 1.6 million acres of cover crops last year — the largest amount recorded by an Indiana Conservation Partnership survey. Of those, 915,000 acres were planted after soybean harvest and 616,000 acres were planted after corn.

Soil health is among the most important foundations for sustaining plants, humans and animals. Only living things can have “health,” so viewing soil as a living, breathing ecosystem reflects a shift in the way soil is observed and managed.

A multi-year cover crop project by the Marshall-Putnam Farm Bureau and partners was featured in a field day. The event was part of Illinois Farm Bureau’s Nutrient Stewardship Field Days held this summer across the state.

The United States is making a big bet on the role that farmers can play in mitigating climate change.