www.sare.org publications diversifying-cropping-systems marketing-strategies-and-profit-potential Marketing Strategies and Profit Potential Marketing is probably the most important consideration when contemplating new crops. While conventional grain producers tend to use the relatively straightforward route of taking the harvested crop to the local grain elevator, diversified growers should not expect convenient delivery with new or alternative crops. Instead, you should consider: Researching the market before planting. Developing a […]
www.sare.org publications diversifying-cropping-systems why-diversify Why Diversify? Diverse Crops Bring Diverse Benefits Farmers and agricultural scientists have known for years that crop rotations can break insect and disease cycles, reduce weeds, curb erosion, supplement soil nutrients, improve soil structure and conserve soil moisture. Diversification can also: soften impacts on environmental resources spread farmers’ economic risk exploit profitable niche markets create new industries […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably appendix-f Appendix F - Citations Bibliography The publications cited in the text (in parentheses) are listed here by reference number. 1 Abdul-Baki, A. A. et al. 1997. Broccoli production in forage soybean and foxtail millet cover crop mulches. HortSci. 32:836-839. 2 Abdul-Baki, A. A. and J. R. Teasdale. 1993. A no-tillage tomato production system using hairy vetch and subterranean clover mulches. HortSci. […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably appendix-b Appendix B Appendix B Up and Coming Cover Crops Balansa clover Identified as a promising new cover crop in screening trials throughout the Southeastern U.S., balansa clover (Trifolium michelianum Savi) is a small-seeded annual legume with superior reseeding potential compared with other legumes, including crimson clover. Well-adapted to a wide range of soil types, balansa performs particularly […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably appendix-a Appendix A Appendix A Testing Cover Crops on Your Farm by Marianne Sarrantonio To find your best cover crops, you needn’t become Dr. Science or devote your life to research. It’s not hard to set up valid, on-farm tests and make observations. Follow these steps: A. Narrow your options. Aim for a limited-scale trial of just two […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops woollypod-vetch Woollypod Vetch Woollypod Vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa) Also called: LANA vetch; also spelled woollypod vetch Cycle: cool-season annual Type: legume Roles: N source, weed suppressor, erosion preventer, add organic matter, attract bees Mix with: other legumes, grasses See charts, p. 66 to 72, for ranking and management summary. Specialty vetches such as woollypod and purple vetch […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops white-clover White Clover White Clover (Trifolium repens) Also called: Dutch White, New Zealand White, Ladino Type: long-lived perennial or winter annual legume Roles: living mulch, erosion protection, green manure, beneficial insect attraction Mix with: annual ryegrass, red clover, hard fescue or red fescue See charts for ranking and management summary. White clovers are a top choice for “living […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops sweet-clovers Sweet Clovers Sweet Clovers Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis) White sweetclover (M. alba) Also called: HUBAM (actually a cultivar of annual white sweetclover) Type: biennial, summer annual or winter annual legume Roles: soil builder, fertility source, subsoil aerator, weed suppressor, erosion preventer Mix with: small grains, red clover See charts, pp. 66 to 72, for ranking and management […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops subterranean-clover Subterranean Clover Subterranean Clovers (Trifolium subterraneum, T. yanninicum, T. brachycalcycinum) Also called: Subclover Type: reseeding cool season annual legume Roles: weed and erosion suppressor, N source, living or dying mulch, continuous orchard floor cover, forage Mix with: other clovers and subclovers See charts, p. 66 to 72, for ranking and management summary. Subterranean clovers offer a range […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops red-clover Red Clover Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Also called: medium red clover (multi-cut, early blooming, June clover); mammoth clover (singlecut, late blooming, Michigan red) Type: short-lived perennial, biennial or winter annual legume Roles: N source, soil builder, weed suppressor, insectary crop, forage Mix with: small grains, sweetclover, corn, soybeans, vegetables, grass forages See charts for rankings and management […]