www.sare.org publications conservation-tillage-systems-in-the-southeast chapter-1-introduction-to-conservation-tillage-systems principles-and-practices-of-conservation-tillage-systems Principles and Practices of Conservation Tillage Systems While each conservation tillage system is designed based on local conditions, there are some general principles and practices born out of research and experience from around the world over the past few decades. All of these are applicable to crop production in the Southeast. They reflect the different agronomic, climatological, ecological, economic and social factors […]
www.sare.org publications conservation-tillage-systems-in-the-southeast chapter-1-introduction-to-conservation-tillage-systems conservation-tillage-systems Conservation Tillage Systems The definition for a conservation tillage system is: A bundle of complementary best management practices that are implemented in a crop production system, in conjunction with other conservation practices, to enhance environmental stewardship, farm profitability and agricultural sustainability. The best management practices used in conservation tillage systems achieve little to no soil disturbance; promote crop […]
www.sare.org publications conservation-tillage-systems-in-the-southeast chapter-1-introduction-to-conservation-tillage-systems what-is-conservation-tillage What is Conservation Tillage? The definition of conservation tillage adopted for this book is the definition given by the Conservation Technology Information Center [6]: “[Conservation tillage is] any tillage and planting system that covers 30 percent or more of the soil surface with crop residue, after planting, to reduce soil erosion by water. Where soil erosion by wind is […]
www.sare.org publications conservation-tillage-systems-in-the-southeast chapter-1-introduction-to-conservation-tillage-systems Chapter 1: Introduction to Conservation Tillage Systems Jason S. Bergtold, Kansas State University Julia Gaskin, University of Georgia Kirk Iversen, Auburn University Gary Hawkins, University of Georgia Randy L. Raper, Oklahoma State University The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive examination of conservation tillage systems used in select southeastern states. The book is targeted toward agricultural producers, producer advisors, […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crop-economics an-in-depth-look-at-management-situations-where-cover-crops-pay-off-faster ken-rulon-data-drives-fertility-decisions Ken Rulon: Data Drives Fertility Decisions Ken Rulon, Arcadia, Ind. Primary cover crops: cereal rye, annual ryegrass, oats, radish, clover, rapeseed and hairy vetch To say that data drives decisions for Ken Rulon is an understatement. Utilizing one-acre grid sampling for twenty-four years, Rulon and his family have learned there is a linear relationship between soil organic matter and yield. “The data is clear. We need […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crop-economics an-in-depth-look-at-management-situations-where-cover-crops-pay-off-faster junior-upton-deeper-rooting-builds-resilience-into-the-cropping-system Junior Upton: Deeper Rooting Builds Resilience into the Cropping System Ralph "Junior" Upton, Springerton, Ill. Primary cover crops: cereal rye, ryegrass and hairy vetch Junior Upton’s history with cover crops began almost 50 years ago with frost-seeded red clover into winter wheat. Producing corn and soybeans on 1,800 acres about 100 miles east of St. Louis, Mo., Upton recalls that his original interest in cover crops and no-till arose […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crop-economics an-in-depth-look-at-management-situations-where-cover-crops-pay-off-faster mike-taylor-addressing-compaction-erosion-and-weeds Mike Taylor: Addressing Compaction, Erosion and Weeds Mike Taylor, Helena, Ark. Primary cover crops: cereal rye and mixes A sign hangs in Mike Taylor’s shop that reads, “You do not inherit the land from your ancestors, you borrow it from your children.” Taylor and his father vividly remember 1992 as a year that challenged that statement. High wind conditions combined with their light, sandy soils resulted […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crop-economics an-in-depth-look-at-management-situations-where-cover-crops-pay-off-faster justin-zahradka-positive-returns-from-grazing-cover-crops Justin Zahradka: Positive Returns from Grazing Cover Crops Justin Zahradka, Lawton, N.D. Primary cover crops: oilseed radishes, turnips, cereal rye, oats, peas, sorghum sudangrass and hairy vetch Justin Zahradka is no stranger to change, and he’s even more familiar with innovation. Farming the same ground his family homesteaded in 1898, Zahradka is the fifth generation living on and working their Walsh County, N.D., operation. His path to farming and […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crop-economics resources-and-references Resources and References The NRCS “cover crop economics tool” is a free downloadable spreadsheet that evaluates the cover crop payoff period based on the user’s data. Interpretative materials and supportive videos are also available through the NRCS website. Additionally, NRCS has an extensive series of soil health fact sheets and videos available through their website. Search “NRCS soil health.” SARE Resources SARE has […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crop-economics the-bottom-line-on-cover-crops The Bottom Line on Cover Crops To be sure, determining the economic impact of planting a cover crop is not as simple as a one-year, cost-and-return analysis. Ultimately, the decision to plant a cover crop should be viewed as an investment in the long-term resilience of the farm. Many factors, from particular on-farm challenges to the gradual accrual of soil health benefits, will influence […]