Cover crop mixes and plant diversity is critical in farming and ranching management to improve the soil health. Many commercial seed companies sell numerous species that can add plant variety
Laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments were conducted by scientists at the University of Kentucky to determine the potential of different chemicals and plants to dissolve fragipan binding agents. A number
In agroecosystems, roots perform three basic functions for the plants: support, water supply, and nutrient supply. Root activity is intimately tied to the plant water and nutrient status, as well
Research has shown that unrestricted grazing of croplands can have detrimental effects on soil health, but it is suggested that moderate grazing of cover crops (CC) may increase the beneficial
A summarization of the prior knowledge about potential cover crop benefits is needed for broader understanding of cover crop impacts on soil agricultural production and knowledge gaps that need further
Soil compaction is a form of degradation affecting future global food security and continues to be a problem for farmers in many parts of the world. Over the past few
Methods of improving soil health come back to the core principles identified by NRCS, including a greater diversity of plants, keeping the soil covered, having living roots in the soil
Soil health is a combination of physical, chemical and biological properties impacting the function and productivity of the soil. Several of these properties directly affect your farm’s net return. Soil
Rollers/crimpers have been used to terminate cover crops typically with supplemental herbicide application to speed-up termination. Due to environmental concerns, there is a need to reduce herbicide use. Terminating tall
Two case studies evaluating impacts of grazing corn stalk residue with and without cover crops showed little to no effect on the following soybean and corn yields – even when
An increasing number of growers are ‘planting green’ or have asked questions regarding this practice. ‘Planting green’ means the corn or soybean is planted directly into a growing cover crop
The cropping systems that offer the greatest chance of success for realizing fall forage production from a forage double-crop are those following wheat, hybrid seed corn, and corn silage. Planting
In drought conditions there is less residue than normal in many fields. In some, the crop was harvested as a forage or cut as silage, leaving very little residue at
Through a $1 million USDA-NRCS grant, UNL Water Resources Engineer Suat Irmak and his research team have been conducting trials in multiple fields since 2012. This research will help identify
We summarized the current state of knowledge of CC e ects on soil C stocks, soil erosion, physical properties, soil water, nutrients, microbial properties, weed control, crop yields, expanded uses,
This study compares two treatments, a monoculture rye cover crop versus a cover crop mix. Soil health indicators, soil tests, and yield data are evaluated each year.
: This study is being conducted on a soil health demonstration farm as part of the Nebraska USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Soil Health Initiative, and involves the farmer, the
This study is being conducted on a soil health demonstration farm as part of the Nebraska USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Soil Health Initiative, and involves the farmer, the Nebraska
This study is being conducted on a soil health demonstration farm as part of the Nebraska USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Soil Health Initiative, and involves the farmer, the Nebraska
: This study is being conducted on a soil health demonstration farm as part of the Nebraska USDA/Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Soil Health Initiative, and involves the farmer, the