www.sare.org publications cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects resources-10 Resources SARE’s Cover Crops Topic Room This online collection of educational materials was developed out of decades of SARE-funded cover crop research. Attracting Native Pollinators Illustrated with hundreds of color photographs and dozens of specially created illustrations, this book provides rich detail on creating and managing pollinator habitat. The Iowa NRCS Cover Crop Economics Tool This […]
www.sare.org publications cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects references-9 References Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). 2014. Report of the 2013-14 Cover Crops Survey. CTIC and North Central SARE. sare.org/2013-cover-crop-survey. Altieri, M., and H. Wilson. 2010. Restoring Plant Diversity and Soil Health in Napa and Sonoma Vineyards: Scaling Up an Agroecologically Based Pest Management Strategy. Project funded by USDA-SARE. To access, visit sare.org/project-reports and search by […]
www.sare.org publications cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects insecticides-and-insect-conservation Insecticides and Insect Conservation Insecticides should not be applied to cover crops where pollinator and beneficial insect conservation is a priority. In most cases it is unnecessary, regardless of your cover crop objectives. Both organic and conventional pesticides can harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. Cover crops are themselves often used to break pest cycles and manage nematodes, and […]
www.sare.org publications cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects plant-selection Plant Selection The plants that best fit your needs will vary by location and purpose. Different cover crops have different strengths. Flowering broadleaf species are a must when selecting cover crops for pollinators. Grass cover crops do not provide nectar and their pollen typically has lower protein content than the pollen of broadleaf plants, thus making them […]
www.sare.org publications cover-cropping-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects cover-crops-on-your-farm Cover Crops On Your Farm Beyond supporting bee and beneficial insect populations, cover crops can reduce your costs for herbicide, insecticide and fertilizer, and improve overall soil health [3]. Many cover crops can be included in a double-crop system or used as animal forage. Cover crops can be integrated into most crop or crop-livestock systems, including no-till, conventional till, rotational […]
www.sare.org publications 2015-2016-report-from-the-field southern-sare moving-beyond-a-one-size-fits-all-approach-to-cover-crops Moving Beyond a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Cover Crops SARE: ADVANCING COVER CROP RESEARCH Thousands of Florida growers use cover crops, mainly to capture nutrients before they reach surface and groundwater, and to reduce erosion caused by heavy rains. There is less on-the-ground research, however, to demonstrate the other benefits of cover crops, notably pest control and the nitrogen contribution of legumes. “Florida is a unique environment. […]
www.sare.org publications 2015-2016-report-from-the-field southern-sare Southern SARE 2015-2016 As Georgia SARE co-coordinator, Julia Gaskin pursues initiatives on organic agriculture, local food systems, cover crops, soil quality and grazing-based animal production. Learn more about SARE in Georgia. Photo by Merritt Melancon, University of Georgia Extension SARE may be small compared to other USDA grant programs, but it consistently has an impact out of proportion to its […]
www.sare.org publications 2015-2016-report-from-the-field north-central-sare establishing-a-queen-bee-industry-in-illinois Establishing a Queen Bee Industry in Illinois SARE: ADVANCING POLLINATOR HEALTH With honeybees disappearing at alarming rates, it is now considered normal for beekeepers to lose up to 30 percent of their hives each year. Some beekeepers can even lose from 50 to 70 percent in a winter, according to Illinois beekeeper Stu Jacobson. Part of the problem is that most honeybees are reared in […]
www.sare.org publications 2015-2016-report-from-the-field north-central-sare a-localized-approach-to-cover-crops-and-livestock A Localized Approach to Cover Crops and Livestock SARE: ADVANCING CROP AND LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION Grown on an estimated 10 million acres across the country, cover crops are becoming an indispensable part of crop rotations. To maintain this momentum, the development of reliable information at the local level—how to craft a diversified rotation that pays—needs to keep pace with growth in farmers’ interest. “Obviously […]
www.sare.org publications 2015-2016-report-from-the-field north-central-sare North Central SARE Nebraska SARE Coordinator Gary Lesoing is working with Extension colleagues and other educators to provide research and education opportunities on cover crops, as farmers grow increasingly interested in their use to improve soil health. Learn more about SARE in Nebraska. Photo by Mandy Hall Photography In the North Central region we are seeing unprecedented demand for information about how we […]