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Cover crops provide a wide range of benefits for farmers, including improved water infiltration, nutrient cycling, and increased organic matter in the soil. The USDA Census of Agriculture reported that 18 million acres of cover crops were planted in the US in 2022, but conservation leaders aim to reach 50 million acres. Concerns about equipment, time, and yield impacts contribute to hesitancy in adopting cover crops. However, farmers with more cover crop experience have seen yield gains, and financial incentives and variety improvement may help increase adoption. Cover crops also help reduce soil erosion, sequester soil carbon, improve weed control, manage nutrients, and increase water quality. Grazing cover crops can save farmers money on feed costs, and early seeding is key to establishing cover crops for effective weed control. Financial incentives for cover crops are increasing, with programs like the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offering payments for cover crop planting. State agencies, special interest groups, and private companies also provide financial support for cover crops. [Extracted from the article]

The Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) initiative provides financial incentives and technical assistance to farmers in 20 states who are planting cover crops for the first time. The initiative is a partnership between the United Soybean Board, the National Pork Board, and the National Corn Growers Association, with funding from a grant awarded by the USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. The goal of the FSH initiative is to increase the planting of cover crops on 30 million acres of U.S. farmland by 2030, which would have environmental and economic benefits. Farmers can enroll in the FSH initiative and receive payments for planting cover crops according to state standards. Technical assistance is also provided to help farmers be successful in growing cover crops. [Extracted from the article]

An Indiana farmer named Rick Clark has successfully implemented a no-till system on his farm, eliminating the need for fertilizers and herbicides and saving him approximately $2 million each year. Clark's system, which he calls "organic regenerative stewardship," involves growing cover crops and strategically selecting cover crop species that best fit the subsequent cash crop. While his crop yields have declined compared to conventional practices, Clark measures his success based on increases in soil health and return on investment. His system has also improved soil organic matter and water infiltration. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Successful Farming discusses the long-term research on cover crops and their impact on soil health. The research, conducted over 40 years, has shown that cover crops can help reduce soil erosion, increase water infiltration, suppress weeds, and cycle nutrients in the soil. Combining cover crops with no-till practices and manure application can further enhance soil health benefits. Different cover crop species provide varying amounts of nitrogen to the soil, and the benefits to soil health are long-term, often taking four to five years to become apparent. The most popular cover crop species in Nebraska is cereal rye, which is cost-competitive and stimulates soil biology. [Extracted from the article]

Nebraska farmer Jeff Steffen has implemented changes to his farming practices to increase profitability and build resiliency in his crops and soils. These changes include switching to no-till, incorporating cover crops, and adding a cool-season crop to lengthen the rotation. Steffen has found that including a cereal grain in his corn-soybean rotation, such as oats, cereal rye, or peas, has resulted in added revenue and reduced input costs. By improving soil health and diversifying the crop rotation, Steffen has seen increased profitability and reduced soil erosion on his farm. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the benefits and challenges of growing cover crops in agriculture. It highlights the experiences of a farmer in Illinois who initially had concerns about the cost and time required for cover crops but ultimately found that they improved soil health and resulted in cost savings. The article emphasizes that cover crops can lead to higher cash crop yields and reduced inputs over time. It also provides information on potential sources of financial assistance for farmers interested in transitioning to cover crops. [Extracted from the article]

Casey McCausland, a young farmer in central Illinois, has embraced regenerative practices and diversification to ensure the stability and future success of his farm. Despite not having a background in agriculture, McCausland partnered with his grandfather and now farms 1,300 acres, growing corn, soybeans, wheat, and cover crops. He is focused on soil health and is working towards certification with Regenified, a program that monitors soil quality. McCausland prioritizes financial stability and has diversified his income through custom farming and building relationships with local co-ops. He aims to do a better job farming what he already has rather than expanding his operation. [Extracted from the article]

“ Sometimes,when producers first find disease lesions on corn leaves, they panic and think they need to spray right away with fungicides ... But it’s critical to first get an accurate disease diagnosis.” Tamra Jackson- Ziems, plant pathologist, University of Nebraska Extension, p. 57 “ THERE’S A MILE- LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL STRESS A PLANT.” Alex Harrell, Georgia farmer and soybean- yield world record holder, p. 54 “ The biological activity on the cover- cropped ground was nearly twice what it was on ground with no cover crop.” Minnesota farmer Myron Sylling, p. 14 THEY SAID IT [Extracted from the article]

This article provides information on several recent farm sales in different locations. In McLean County, Illinois, three tracts of land were sold at public auction, with Tract 1 selling for $16,000 per acre. In Grant County, Wisconsin, two tracts of organic farmland were sold, with Tract 1 selling for $16,250 per acre. In O'Brien County, Iowa, a farm sold for $17,500 per acre. In Jefferson County, Arkansas, a property sold for $7,000 per acre, and in Pike County, Missouri, three tracts of land were sold, with Tract 2 selling for $15,400 per acre. [Extracted from the article]

Agronomy and Conservation R uth McCabe's journey to become a conservation agronomist at Heartland Co-op in Iowa is an unusual one. Successful Farming at Agriculture.com May 2021 24 These four agronomists move the needle forward to serve farmers. By Megan Schilling, Agronomy & Technology Editor Illustrations by Lauren Crow Successful Farming at Agriculture.com May 2021 26 Whitney Monin Kentucky Customer business adviser for DeKalb/ Asgrow and Bayer Crop Science Education: B.A. agriculture and communication studies from Western Kentucky University; M.S. integrated plant and soil science from University of Kentucky Twitter: @MoninWhitney Maddy Rabenhorst never pictured herself working in agriculture, even though she grew up on her family's farm in South Dakota. [Extracted from the article]

The arm income has surged across the Midwest and Plains, boosted by the rally in commodity prices that started last summer and large federal payments, according to farm lenders. Strong commodity prices and higher than usual federal payments, although smaller than last year's record $46 billion, are the leading factors in FAPRI's estimate of $111 billion in farm income, said director Pat Westhoff. The Federal Reserve said farmland values and cash rents "remained strong in most reporting states", based on information from regional Fed banks in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. [Extracted from the article]