A cover crop trial conducted at the Ridgetown campus of the University of Guelph suggests that the economic benefits of growing cover crops is equal to or better than the results of its no-cover trials after factoring in the cost of seed and other inputs for the cover crop.

With a promising harvest under way, it’s a good time to replenish fields with phosphorus and potassium, says Fabian Fernandez, University of Illinois Extension specialist in soil fertility and plant nutrition.

Cover crop biomass accumulation and root growth depend on when the cover crop is established. This determines how much cover the cover crop provides and this is important for erosion control, especially when establishing a cover crop in a tilled seedbed, or with no-till in low residue situations.

llinois corn yielded less than expected in most areas in 2010, and corn following corn was particularly hard hit.

Mark Pettijohn builds failure into his farming operation and expects some stinkers while experimenting with "green" and "unconventional" methods. Sometimes he hits it big, however, and a field busts loose with gorgeous bounty.

With harvest already out of the way for some Ohio corn and soybean producers, there may be ample time this fall to repair compaction-damaged fields.