Cover Crops

Beef cattle producers will gain insights and stay up to date on current research from cow/calf patterns to alternative forages and more at the Orr Beef Research Center’s Field Day.

A group of Brazilian agronomists, landowners and input industry representatives visited several locations in Illinois that included stops at the Illinois State University Farm, Bayer research facilities and John Deere.

Bipartisan legislation that creates the Healthy Soils Initiative and commits to improved coordination between the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Soil and Water Conservation Districts was signed into law.

Farmers can choose from more than 40 different cover crop varieties that are sold today in the United States. “Cover crops support the overall sustainability and efforts of growers and livestock producers,” said Andrew LaVigne.

Planting soybeans into a cover crop such as cereal rye is a common practice, but cover crops ahead of corn is a different animal.

Have you ever seen a cow get a pedicure? It was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Katherine Boelen’s family dairy farm in Poweshiek County, Iowa.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose two points in July to a reading of 123, indicating a slight increase in farmer sentiment about the ag economy.

Greg Thoren is working to develop a healthy microbial system on his farm in Jo Daviess County. “Microbes make everything work,” said Thoren during a Nutrient Stewardship Field Day.

Soil tilth building practices should be considered offensive management tools. “Cover crops have been pushed as defensive tools against erosion, water quality problems or impeding regulations,” said Mitchell Hora.

Sustainability is at the core of the Morgan Brothers farm. Through sustainable practices, they save money on labor and inputs, and time in the field.

Multiple cover crop mixes are touted as the next step toward advancing soil health at a more rapid pace.

Indiana farmers have set a conservation record this year by planting an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers, according to a recent survey.

When Al Schafbuch cut back on plowing his Iowa fields decades ago and later began growing cover crops, he was out to save money on fertilizer and reduce erosion.

Well, I think we may have a crop after all. I hope everyone got their much-needed rain by now. Since I plant later than most, none of my crop had seen any rain except a couple half-tenth events until the end of June.

Indiana corn and soybean farmers in the Upper White River Watershed have an opportunity to participate in a fully-funded cover crop program this fall.