www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services impact-of-cover-crops-on-natural-enemies-and-pests Impact of Cover Crops on Natural Enemies and Pests An overview of how cover crops provide habitat for insects and other invertebrates that contribute to pest control. Download this fact sheet (PDF). This fact sheet is part of the Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops fact sheet series. What Are Natural Enemies? Natural enemies are beneficial invertebrates that consume or otherwise help control crop pests. They can be insects, […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services cover-crops-at-work-increasing-soil-organic-matter Cover Crops at Work: Increasing Soil Organic Matter An overview of cover crop impacts on soil organic matter.1 Download this fact sheet (PDF). This fact sheet is part of the Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops fact sheet series. What is Soil Organic Matter? Cover Crops Increase Soil Organic Matter Soil Organic Matter is a Boon for Water Quality Summary Cover crops are a good […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services cover-crops-at-work-keeping-nutrients-out-of-waterways Cover Crops at Work: Keeping Nutrients Out of Waterways An overview of cover crop impacts on nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural systems.1 Download this fact sheet (PDF). This fact sheet is part of the Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops fact sheet series. Cover Crops Reduce Nitrogen Losses to the Environment Nitrogen can be lost from agricultural fields in runoff water and groundwater. This displaced nitrogen […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services cover-crops-at-work-increasing-infiltration Cover Crops at Work: Increasing Infiltration An overview of cover crop impacts on water infiltration to the soil.1 Download this fact sheet (PDF). This fact sheet is part of the Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops fact sheet series. Cover Crops and Infiltration Cover crops can successfully increase the infiltration of water into the soil layer. They do this by covering the ground with […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services cover-crops-at-work-covering-the-soil-to-prevent-erosion Cover Crops at Work: Covering the Soil to Prevent Erosion An overview of cover crop impacts on soil losses from agricultural production systems.1 Download this fact sheet (PDF). This fact sheet is part of the Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops fact sheet series. Cover Crops and Erosion Cover crops can successfully decrease, or almost completely eliminate, soil loss from various production systems. They do this by: Studies […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services cover-crops-improve-soil-conditions-and-prevent-pollution Cover Crops Improve Soil Conditions and Prevent Pollution An overview of cover crop impacts on erosion, infiltration, nutrient losses and soil organic matter on U.S. cropland.1 Download this fact sheet (PDF). This fact sheet is part of the Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops fact sheet series. Why Plant Cover Crops? The scientific literature is ripe with data about the benefits of planting cover crops. Cover crops […]
www.sare.org publications cover-crops-ecosystem-services 10-ways-cover-crops-enhance-soil-health 10 Ways Cover Crops Enhance Soil Health The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has identified four basic principles or approaches for maintaining and improving soil health: Farmers can support these principles by using cover crops, which are conservation plantings of fast-growing annuals such as rye, clovers, vetches and radishes. Cover crops protect and improve the soil when a cash crop is not growing. […]
www.sare.org publications twelve-aprils-dairying putting-it-all-together-4 Putting it all Together Manure is scraped daily from the cement holding, feeding and free stall areas and placed in a picket-dam, which allows the waste water to drain into the lagoon while holding back the solids. Solids are spread once or twice a week with a side-opening spreader calibrated to control the amount per acre. "Unlike the old […]
www.sare.org publications twelve-aprils-dairying waste-system Waste System Manure is scraped daily from the cement holding, feeding and free stall areas and placed in a picket-dam, which allows the waste water to drain into the lagoon while holding back the solids. Solids are spread once or twice a week with a side-opening spreader calibrated to control the amount per acre. "Unlike the old […]
www.sare.org publications twelve-aprils-dairying irrigation-system Irrigation System At this writing in autumn 2000, Tom has evaluated irrigation of only 41 acres and for only one year, but that happened to be during the severe drought of 2000. Being able to graze alfalfa during the drought and get 56-60 pounds of milk per cow convinced him to go ahead and expand the system. […]