When growers add cover crops, it’s important to select and manage the crop according to the primary objective for the crop. Cover crops usually are planted to benefit the soil and are not harvested.

John Taylor cut just 24 bales last month off the same 90 acres near Elkins that produced 350 bales earlier this year. “That’s what drought does to you,” Taylor said. “Usually, I’d sell some of my ...

Every fall after the growing season, I like to put the vegetable garden to bed for the winter with a cover crop of winter rye. Broadly speaking, a cover crop is a crop that covers the soil with a ...

For farmers trying to Flip their Soil and improve soil health one simple thing they can do this fall is plant cereal rye as a cover crop and plant soybeans into that stand. Soil health experts say ...

A new appreciation has developed for rye, a winter-hardy grain that develops a deep root system. Growing rye is seen as beneficial to soil health, is a strong competitor to weeds, and helps reduce ...

Planting edible beans into winter rye has environmental and potential yield benefits, a North Dakota State University Extension study said. The rye reduces soil erosion, suppresses weeds and soaks up ...

Most stockmen are close to being able to graze on cool season grasses that were either planted in the fall or have volunteered on their own. Have you been able to make the transition yet? Even for ...

Between spring thaw and soybean planting, the risk of soil nitrogen loss is great. As soil temperatures warm, soil microbes become active and start decomposing organic matter. Nitrogen released during ...

No-till planting of sweet corn into a killed winter rye cover crop has the potential to provide soil health benefits such as reduced compaction, improved soil water holding capacity, reduced ...