2 days ago · Rotatingcrops can have important production benefits such as increasing yields, improving nutrients and organic matter in the soil, and it can help disrupt the lifecycle of crop pests, reducing chemical use. Cover crops should be viewed as a long-term investment in improved soil health and farm management. They can begin to pay for themselves in the first year of use, or it may take a few years for them to lead to a net positive return. For a detailed analysis of when cover crops begin to pay in different management scenarios, check out the SARE bullet...See full list on sare.orgDetermining when cover crops pay for themselves is not as simple as comparing the added first-year costs with the return on the following crop. Cover crops should be viewed as a long-term investment that gradually improve farm management in multiple areas. Over time, this investment leads to lower costs and, sometimes, increased revenue. An analysi...See full list on sare.orgCover crops play an essential role in improving soil health and are associated with numerous on-farm benefits, such as controlling erosion, improving water infiltration and managing nutrients. Check out our interactive infographic, What is Soil Health, to learn more about the relationships between on-farm practices, soil health benefits and the com...See full list on sare.orgTo select cover crops for your operation, first identify your primary objectives for adding them to your system. Do you want to add nitrogen to your soil, increase organic matter to improve soil health, reduce erosion, provide weed control, manage nutrients, and/or conserve soil moisture? While all cover crops provide many of these benefits, some s...See full list on sare.orgOne of the biggest challenges of covercropping is to fit covercrops into your current rotations, or to develop new rotations that take full advantage of their benefits. There may be a role for covercrops in almost all rotations, but the diversity of cropping systems precludes addressing them here. Whether you add covercrops to your existing rot...See full list on sare.orgNo-till farming or other conservation agriculture systems are good opportunities to plant cover crops. The cover crop mulch can increase water infiltration and also improve moisture availability by preventing evaporation. Cover crop residue helps control weeds, which is especially important in organic no-till agriculture.See full list on sare.orgPlant cover crops in organic farming to provide nitrogen, manage weeds and improve soil health. In organic no-till farming, use a roller-crimper to kill the cover crop and leave the mulch on the soil surface to conserve water. Or, incorporate the cover crop into the soil (sometimes called a green manure) before planting your main crop.See full list on sare.orgCover crops maintain and improve soil fertilityin a number of ways. Protection against soil loss from wind and water erosion is perhaps the most obvious soil benefit, but providing organic matter is a more long-term and equally important goal. Cover crops contribute indirectly to overall soil fertility and health by catching nutrients before they c...See full list on sare.orgEvidence is mounting that cover crops help stabilize yields and improve moisture availability in the face of increasingly erratic weather. Is it too wet in the spring? Cover crops take up water (via evapotranspiration) and usually allow you onto the field earlier than if you did not have a cover crop growing. Alternatively, if facing drought or pra...See full list on sare.orgCover crop effects on agricultural pests are multi-faceted. With careful attention to cultivar choice, placement and timing, cover crops can reduce infestations by insects, diseases, nematodes and weeds. Cover crops that attract and retain beneficial insects—when allowed to flower—include buckwheat, clovers (crimson, red, white, sweet) and brassica...See full list on sare.orgView all Discover how covercrops revolutionize soil health, reduce fertilizer costs, and boost farm resilience. Learn selection strategies, planting techniques, and ROI for sustainable farming success. · Among these practices, cover cropping and crop rotation stand out as vital components of integrated soil and crop management. This article explores the concept of cover crops, their benefits, and how they function within crop rotation systems to promote sustainable agriculture. · Covercrops should be considered as part of the overall croprotation, and especially on soils with lower organic matter, or on fields with short rotations and little return of crop residue or manure. Croprotation is one of the most powerful ways to build healthy soil, prevent pests, and increase crop yields—yet many new farmers are unsure where to start. This guide explains the principles behind effective rotation, how different crop families affect the soil, and how to use covercrops and soil-building strategies to keep fields productive for years to come. · Rotating legumes with grasses in a covercropping system offers a powerful combination of benefits for soil health and crop productivity. Legumes, such as clover or vetch, fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Discover how covercrops revolutionize soil health, reduce fertilizer costs, and boost farm resilience. Learn selection strategies, planting techniques, and ROI for sustainable farming success. · Among these practices, cover cropping and crop rotation stand out as vital components of integrated soil and crop management. This article explores the concept of cover crops, their benefits, and how they function within crop rotation systems to promote sustainable agriculture. · Covercrops should be considered as part of the overall croprotation, and especially on soils with lower organic matter, or on fields with short rotations and little return of crop residue or manure. Croprotation is one of the most powerful ways to build healthy soil, prevent pests, and increase crop yields—yet many new farmers are unsure where to start. This guide explains the principles behind effective rotation, how different crop families affect the soil, and how to use covercrops and soil-building strategies to keep fields productive for years to come. · Rotating legumes with grasses in a covercropping system offers a powerful combination of benefits for soil health and crop productivity. Legumes, such as clover or vetch, fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
