Replacing no-till summer fallow with a cool-season legume crop, such as grain-type field peas, can reduce herbicide applications, provide rotational benefits through nitrogen (N) fixation and increase biodiversity above and below ground, says University of Nebraska Extension.

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.

A systems approach that includes a diverse crop rotation and a forage crop can no-tillers improve soil health and use irrigation water more efficiently.

Regular soil testing and in-crop applications of nitrogen can help growers manage nutrient levels for swings in the weather and take advantage of when better-than-normal crop growth occurs, says the International Plant Nutrition Institute.

Climate Prediction Center outlooks indicate a continuation of the trend of above-normal moisture from the southwest U.S. through the central Plains, says Nebraska state climatologist Al Dutcher.

I’ve found with many of my endeavors in no-till that I’d implement a practice for one reason, only to reap unexpected benefits and switch gears to further pursue those benefits. This applies to no-till itself, too.

Avoiding soil disturbance and keeping crop residue on the field are crucial in preserving water resources growing crops profitably.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $150 million in funding is available for agricultural producers through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).