Articles by Sarah Hill

Purdue Ag Economy Barometer Finds That Most Growers Still New to Using Cover Crops

Out of 400 large-acreage growers surveyed, 41% are currently seeding covers on their operations.

By Sarah Hill posted on October 7, 2021

The practice of using cover crops still has plenty of room for growth, according to the results of the August Purdue Ag Economy Barometer. Forty-one percent of growers with production of more than $500,000 annually said they are currently using cover crops, while 65% of growers responded that they had either used cover crops in the past or were currently using covers.

USDA Seeks Grower Input on Carbon Markets

Growers have until Nov. 1 to submit their comments to the federal agency.

By Sarah Hill posted on September 29, 2021

The USDA is looking to create a set of pilot projects that provides incentives to implement climate smart conservation practices on working lands and to quantify and monitor the carbon and greenhouse gases associated with those practices. The pilot projects could even expand or develop new and additional markets.

Growers Could Receive $25 Per Acre Payments if Using Cover Crops

More than two-thirds of no-tillers will be eligible for up to $5 billion in financial incentives.

By Sarah Hill posted on September 24, 2021

Landowners could receive payments of $25 per acre on up to 1,000 acres if cover crops are established in their fields for the purposes of soil health, according to a preliminary Senate draft of the Build Back Better bill and corresponding budget. Non-operating landowners could receive payments of $5 per acre for encouraging tenants to seed covers on rented fields.

Highlights from the 2021 National Strip-Tillage Conference

The in-person conference offered a wide range of topics and outstanding speakers for growers to learn from and interact with.

By Sarah Hill posted on September 2, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

More than 300 growers and industry professionals from across the globe gathered in Omaha, Neb., in early August for the 8th annual National Strip-Tillage Conference (NSTC). At the event, growers dove into topics related to strip-till management, soil health, cover crops and increasing profits from their operations.

7 Tips for Frost Seeding Cover Crops

Clovers and alfalfa are good choices for cover crop species that can be frost seeded, according to a Penn State expert.

By Sarah Hill posted on August 6, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

Frost seeding — broadcasting cover crops in late winter — is not the typical method for seeding cover crops, but that should not scare growers away from the practice, according to Sjoerd Duiker, professor of soil management at Penn State University.

Planting Green, Roller-Crimping: Two Rookies Share Their First Experiences

Two Minnesota growers no-tilled soybeans into 2-foot-tall rye and terminated the cover crop with roller-crimping 2 weeks later.

By Sarah Hill posted on July 22, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Crop Protection

Two young growers from Minnesota — a state that has historically been challenging for cover crops. Two different types of planters and roller-crimpers. Two experiences that reinforced the growers’ beliefs in what covers can do for their operations.

Seeding the Promise & Potential of Cover Crop Adoption

The second-annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study found that most growers have only used covers for less than 5 years, though average acres covered are up year-over-year.

By Sarah Hill posted on May 18, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

More and more growers are seizing the numerous benefits that cover crops can provide. Growers are also finding additional ways to make cover crops put more money in their pockets. The results of the second annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study support both statements.

Out-Competing Weeds with Cover Crops

Target species, moisture levels and your geographic area are all factors involved in using cover crops to keep weeds at bay.

By Sarah Hill posted on May 1, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

Cover crops offer multiple mechanisms for helping to suppress weeds in a cropping system, from out-competing weeds to allelopathy.

GS3 Quality Seed Acquires KB Seed Solutions

Two prominent cover crop seed suppliers are merging to continue providing high-quality seed to North American growers.

By Sarah Hill posted on April 8, 2021

GS3 will maintain and build relationships with all current KB Seed Solutions dealers, while still contracting with the growers who produce cover crop seed for both organizations.

Cover Crops Can Boost Beneficial Insects

An expert on pest management programs from the University of Nebraska explores how cover crops can be successfully integrated to help control pests in cropping systems.

By Sarah Hill posted on April 1, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

Your farm's integrated pest management program (IPM) might include a variety of pest control tactics. Cover crops can be a valuable addition to an IPM as a sustainable, long-term practice, according to Justin McMechan.

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