Andrew Rees started to question the grassland management at Moor Farm, Haverfordwest, where he farms with his wife, Vicky, and mother, Jean, three years ago. Since then, he has cut nitrogen use by more than 60% and planted herbal leys or cover crops across a fifth of the farm. The No-Till Passport series is brought to you by Martin Industries.

University of Minnesota Extension researchers say they're planning to launch a computer database to monitor manure nutrient values. Past values don't match the results in testing, which frequently contain more plant nutrients than past values indicate.

Legumes still can provide valuable N to today’s cropping systems. Legumes also contribute a non-nitrogen rotation effect due to addition of soil organic matter and improvement in soil health. Corn grown following alfalfa stands that are 2+ years old (and contained at least 50% alfalfa) require no nitrogen fertilizer on many soils. Red clover N credits are less than for alfalfa.

Cover crops are used to address multiple resource concerns and can provide a wide range of conservation benefits including reduced soil erosion, scavenged residual soil nitrogen, weed suppression, and supplemental livestock forage. The carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the cover crop determines the durability of the cover crop residue.