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Cover Crops in the Great Plains – a view from a long time cover crop user- Part 2

By Dave, on December 31st, 2011%

In this cover crop post I again quote Paul Conway from Kansas, who is giving his input on cover crops in the Great Plains. In this article, Paul shares his experience with Austrian winter peas, field peas, chickling vetch, and hairy vetch.

Dave,

Austrian Winter Peas: I have limited and disappointing experience with Austrian Winter . . . → Read More: Cover Crops in the Great Plains – a view from a long time cover crop user- Part 2

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2 comments   Austrian Winter Peas, Cover Crop Benefits, Grazing Cover Crops, Hairy Vetch, Nitrogen from Cover Crops, Types of Cover Crops   , , , , , , , , , ,  

Nutrient Scavenging Cover Crops – How much good are they doing? It depends.

By Dave, on November 12th, 2011%
Not only does the crimson clover add nitrogen to the soil it also greatly enhances the soil structure. The soil on the right came from where there was only radishes planted. The soil on the left had crimson clover and radishes mixed together.

Meet the Cover Crop Scavengers

Over the years I have worked with cover crops I have recommended that producers use “scavengers” like Annual Ryegrass, turnips, cereal rye,  winter barley, oats,  and cover crop radishes.  These cover crops do a very good job of capturing excess nitrogen and other nutrients and keeping them from reaching the . . . → Read More: Nutrient Scavenging Cover Crops – How much good are they doing? It depends.

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Leave a comment   Cover Crop Benefits, Higher Yields, Nitrogen from Cover Crops   , , , , , , , , ,  

Photo diary- Corn after a cover crop (after corn)

By Dave, on June 6th, 2011%
No-Till Corn on Corn planted into Oats and AU Robin Crimmson Clover

“Planting this corn field was like planting into a garden” said my friend Dave.   He has been a ‘cover cropper” for six years now.  This year Dave no-tilled approximately 50% of his acres.  Dave is one of the most innovative guys I know…but he’s also “cautious”; he does not want to lose money!  That’s why . . . → Read More: Photo diary- Corn after a cover crop (after corn)

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4 comments   Chemical Use and Cover Crops, Cover Crop Benefits, Crimson Clover, Delayed Spring Planting, Higher Yields, Improved Varieties, Nitrogen from Cover Crops, Oats, Radishes   , , , ,  

Medium Red Clover as a cover crop

By Dave, on March 3rd, 2011%

Medium Red Clover frost seeded into wheat provides good nitrogen production and excellent forage/green manure.

Frost seeding clover into wheat has been a standard practice for many years.  Many producers have used “60/40 Plowdown Clover” in their wheat…but in many areas that practice has stopped as double crop soybean plantings have pushed further into . . . → Read More: Medium Red Clover as a cover crop

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Leave a comment   Nitrogen from Cover Crops, Red Clover, Soil Improvement, Wheat

“Where is my nitrogen?”

By Dave, on January 27th, 2011%

This question keeps coming up on a regular basis in cover crop meetings….”where is my nitrogen?” There are a number of things we know: * Legumes produce N and some of that N is available for the next crop. . . . → Read More: “Where is my nitrogen?”

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Leave a comment   Lower Inputs, Nitrogen from Cover Crops, Soil Improvement   , , , ,  
 
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