Sustainable Ag: Cover Crops
As fall arrives, many farmers are busy in the field harvesting. The main thought may be to get the crop out of the field, but many farmers also have conservation on their mind. Since they are busy taking crops out of the field, the main protectors of our soil are being taken away. This is why many farmers are planting cover crops. Although some may know what cover crops are, they may not know how these crops can benefit soil health and conservation. Cover crops are used for two main reasons, to control erosion and add spring forage. There are also many more benefits to cover crops. A cover crop is a plant that is used to slow erosion, improve water availability, build soil health, kill weeds, help control diseases and pests. Cover crops help decrease the amount of erosion during thunderstorms, or when the snow is melting. They do this by slowing the speed of the running water, and therefore slowing the speed of the soil particles within the water. Raising cover crops ...