Are there fields that you were unable to plant by the last insurable planting date? Considering allowing the field to go fallow this year? Crops planted after a fallow period often struggle to yield, an effect referred to as “Fallow Syndrome.” The problem is the result of breaking critical relationships between plants, microorganisms, and nutrient […]
Avoid Fallow Period with Cover Crops Read More »
I tried out the new Hooyman 24V electric chest spreader yesterday frost seeding Gallant Red Clover into a Stamina White Clover/ Jumbo Ladino Clover mix at the MWZ plots. I spread about 2 acres of narrow (15ft) paths with the chest spreader and 5 acres of large plots using the 125 lb Vehicle Spreader on
Hooyman Spreader Test Read More »
Midwestern Wildlife Zone – The Beginning A little over 10 years ago, CISCO Seeds started the Midwestern Wildlife Zone line of products with a couple of mixes. Since then, we’ve kept adding until we reached our current 10 mixes. All we had at our disposal were some on-farm and food plot testimonials, so we determined
Deer Plot Seed Research Read More »
One of the many great things about cover crops is that they not only cover and build the soil, they can also be used to feed livestock. That’s an outstanding two-for-one benefit. Our team received this question from a dealer looking for a dairy forage blend for one of his customers to seed once spring
Forage Blend for Soil Cover and High Tonnage Read More »
I’m often asked what my favorite cover crop is after wheat and why. That’s a hard question because there is sufficient growing season after wheat to grow just about anything in the book! Planting cover crops after wheat is a big opportunity to improve the soil, protect it from erosion, grow organic matter and natural
My Favorite Cover Crop After Wheat Read More »
Soybean Cyst Nematode is the number one pest of soybeans across the US causing more yield loss than the next five diseases combined.
Studies have shown that cover crops such as red clover, sunn hemp, crimson clover, cereal rye, oats, daikon radish, or ryegrass reduce the number of eggs in the soil and/or reduce the number of female SCN on soybeans in the following season.
Cover Crops vs. Soybean Cyst Nematode Read More »
I toured my fields on Friday, December 17, to document the results of cover crops planted in rather desperate conditions back in the fall. The purpose of the video is to show that even late, poorly planted cover crops are doing some good if one takes the time to look at ground level. My
Late Planted Cover Crop Evaluation Read More »
If I were to make a list of underutilized crops in American agriculture, buckwheat would be near the top. Buckwheat is a short-season broadleaf grain crop that is very easy to grow and can thrive in hot and dry conditions. As a cover crop, it is renowned for its ability to mineralize phosphorus from
Buckwheat as Nurse Crop for Clover Read More »