Grazing cover crops

30 Years of No-Till Keeps Farm Financially Stable

Economic turmoil of the 1980s changed operation to 100% no-till, reducing labor, saving soil & enabling crop diversity

By Dan Crummett posted on February 21, 2024 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Soil Health

When Rick Jeans and his dad, Don, began experimenting with no-till in the late 1980s, they were setting in motion a management scheme that would allow Jeans to continue farming about 3,000 acres of cropland in Tonkawa, Okla.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Equipment Changes, Cover Crops Prepare Soggy Soils for No-Tilling

Skip-generation farmer not afraid to try new methods & learn from failures

By Martha Mintz posted on January 26, 2024 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health

I admit, the first few years that I no-till drilled my crops, it sometimes felt like I was stuck with no-till as opposed to sticking with it.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Efficiency, Diversification & Bold Cropping Strategies Put New No-Tillers Ahead

Jacob & Cassandra Kubik of Walker, Iowa, build on early no-till efficiencies & profits with relay cropping, innovative cover cropping practices & sheep.

By Martha Mintz posted on January 3, 2023 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

Starting a farm from scratch using no-till, EQIP and CSP programs proved the best and easiest path to production for my wife, Cassandra, and me.

Even in a Serious Drought, Soil Never Rests on No-Tiller’s Farm

Once-aspiring microbiologist pampers soil microbiome to push production.

By Martha Mintz posted on November 28, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Water Management

Drought like we've never seen settled on our farm in north central Oklahoma in 2022. It’s the most severe drought in this area since records started more than 100 years ago.

No-Till, Cattle & Diverse Cover Crops Mix Well

The combination of a 3-way crop rotation, covers and grazing is resulting in big savings by reducing the number of tillage passes, increasing yields and improving soil health.

By Sarah Hill posted on November 11, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops

Salem, S.D., farmer Kurt Stiefvater started no-tilling 20 years ago to save soil moisture and save more money by reducing the number of tillage passes. He added small grains and cover crops to the 1,800-acre operation 8 years ago, and those decisions have improved Stiefvater’s yields, soil health and the condition of his cattle herd.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Focus on No-Till, Soil Health Puts Farm Problems Out to Pasture

Veteran no-tiller Terry Ness has found a focus on soil health and diverse rotations can mean reduced inputs and security in the face of weather, insects, weeds and disease.

By Terry Ness and Martha Mintz posted on September 6, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health

My soils were on the verge of giving out on me when I finally made the switch to no-till. I’m a first-generation farmer.

Farming the Drought with No-Till Flexibility

Veteran Kansas no-tiller farms around dry High Plains weather, seeking to eliminate summer fallow when possible and using conserved soil moisture to grow something on every acre throughout the season.

By Dan Crummett posted on May 29, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Water Management

Farming 25 miles southeast of Dodge City in southwestern Kansas with limited irrigation, long-time no-tiller Lance Feikert says it’s difficult to set a rotation schedule and stick with it because of rainfall variability.

The Impact of Grazing Cover Crops on Soil Health

May 6, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops

Source: Kansas State

Cover crops are typically used by producers in dryland no-till cropping systems to improve soil health, reduce soil compaction, enhance nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and improve water infiltration. Producers may be able to realize some income from cover crops by grazing or haying them. But is this a good idea or will it cancel out any benefit the cover crops would otherwise have on soil properties and residue cover?

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What I've Learned from No-Tilling

No-Till, Cover Crops and Cattle Bring Revenue to Offset Tight Margins

Finding ways to extract more income from the same acres carves space for the next generation on this Illinois farm.

By Martha Mintz posted on November 5, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

WE MAY DRIVE red equipment, but green is our favorite color by far. A perfectly plowed field has nothing on the brilliant green mat dotted with hairy vetch flowers that dominates our tractor cab view when my cousin, Tim Imhoff, and I seed our crops.