Nutrient runoff from agricultural production is a significant source of water pollution in the U.S., and climate change that produces extreme weather events is likely to exacerbate the problem. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at how extreme rainfall impacts runoff and suggests possible mitigation strategies.

As interest and integration of cover crops accelerate, the industry has been challenged in its ability to provide easy to access, comprehensive information. Recently, cover crop application company GO SEED developed the Cover Crop Information Map to provide a free, centralized platform for knowledge exchange.

Most information on cover crops in books and even from some farmer speakers indicates low carbon-to-nitrogen ratios mean nitrogen will be released to the cover crop. But some research North Dakota State University Extension is finding otherwise.

The National Wildlife Federation is accepting applications for farmers and conservation professionals to conduct outreach to promote cover crops and provide region-specific information and farming knowledge to farmers and crop advisors.

Roger Elmore, an agronomist for University of Nebraska Extension, gives an update on preliminary results from cover crop research at multiple sites across Nebraska.

Cover crops can have several potential benefits for soil quality in a no-till rotation, says Kansas State University Extension soil management specialist DeAnn Presley.

The Southwestern Colorado Research Center has received a $249,269 grant to study how using cover crops can improve soil health for dryland farmers.