A study in Iowa funded by the United Soybean Board found that winter cereal rye that grew an extra 3 weeks prior to soybeans produced about 300-400% more biomass, with a 100% increase in nitrogen retention.

Earlier this month, about 170 people attended the Farming Evolution no-till conference in Holyoke, Colo., where attendees covered a number of topics related to no-till practices, cover cropping and soil health principles.

Rill erosion from recent snowmelt and rainstorms in Pennsylvania shows how vulnerable soils are, but here are some tips from Pennsylvania State University to avoid such erosion.

At the Southern Soil Health Conference in Ardmore, Okla., Jon Heerman, a no-tiller from Haxtun, Colo., talks about how he’s applying pelletized compost with his John Deere air seeder to increase soil biological diversity on his farm. Heerman, who no-tills wheat, rye, field peas, oats, milo and sunflowers, is even exploring ways to use a self-propelled sprayer to apply the compost pellets.

The International Plant Nutrition Institute has officially released the results of its 2015 North American Soil Test Summary, which the organization says is the most extensive evaluation of the fertility of North American soils ever conducted.

The Soil Health Institute announced its appointments of 13 members to the organization's first-ever board of directors, including some no-tillers and other agricultural experts dedicated to furthering soil health.

Research has consistently shown sugar applications do not provide a yield increase in corn or soybeans, Ohio State University Extension says.

Beneficial bacteria that could promote crop growth and reduce dependence on commercial fertilizers have been identified by an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientist.