www.sare.org resources 10-ways-cover-crops-enhance-soil-health 10 Ways Cover Crops Enhance Soil Health Soil health is a hot topic these days, one that is justifiably receiving considerable attention from farmers and their farm advisors. Whereas in the past, soil testing and evaluation focused more on chemical and physical measures,...
www.sare.org resources cover-crops-and-no-till-management-for-organic-systems Cover Crops and No-Till Management for Organic Systems This Rodale Institute fact sheet reviews the use of cover crops and no-till in organic systems, including selection, establishment and mechanical termination of cover crops; crop rotations; and energy and...
www.sare.org resources reduced-tillage-and-cover-cropping-systems-for-organic-vegetable-production Reduced Tillage and Cover Cropping Systems for Organic Vegetable Production Healthy soils comprise the foundation for organic food and fiber production. Sustainable soil management integrates cover cropping, other organic and natural mineral inputs, and judicious tillage practices to obtain high...
www.sare.org resources using-manually-operated-seeders-for-precision-cover-crop-plantings-on-the-small-farm Using Manually Operated Seeders for Precision Cover Crop Plantings on the Small Farm Growing good cover crops begins with planting the seed uniformly and at the right rate and depth to ensure a good stand. This can be especially challenging for small-scale farms...
www.sare.org resources cover-crops-for-all-seasons Cover Crops for All Seasons One of the basic tenets of sustainable agriculture is that greater diversity yields greater agro-ecosystem stability, more beneficial organisms, fewer pests and diseases, more sustained crop yields, and more opportunities...
www.sare.org resources cover-cropping-on-farm-solar-powered-soil-building Cover Cropping: On-Farm, Solar-Powered Soil Building Sustainable farmers and gardeners know that the soil needs to be “fed” regularly in order to continue yielding good crops. Organic matter (carbon-based materials derived from living organisms) and nitrogen...
southern.sare.org resources economics-of-cover-crops-ii-part-2-benefits-of-cover-crops-and-no-till-vegetable-production-in-north-alabama Economics of Cover Crops II (Part 2): Benefits of Cover Crops and No-Till Vegetable Production in North Alabama Economics of Cover Crops III.pdf 1.24 MB In Alabama, vegetable producers have adopted cover crops in both plasticulture and in no-till systems due to the benefits of cover crops in...
southern.sare.org resources nitrogen-release-from-cover-crops Nitrogen Release from Cover Crops Nitrogen Release from Cover Crops.pdf 1.67 MB Nutrient management is a timely agricultural topic that boils down to determining the right rate, source, timing, and placement of nutrients. Nitrogen is...
southern.sare.org resources perennial-grass-cover-crops-can-optimize-wine-grape-growth Perennial Grass Cover Crops Can Optimize Wine Grape Growth Using Cover Crops to Optimize Wine Grape Growth.pdf 377.03 kB Vineyard cover crops or ‘living mulch’ consists of either sown or native vegetation, grown in vineyard row middles and/or inclusive...
southern.sare.org resources soil-management-using-cover-crops-in-organically-managed-high-tunnels Soil Management Using Cover Crops in Organically Managed High Tunnels Soil Management in Using Cover Crops in High Tunnels.pdf 1.01 MB Introduction Cover cropping involves growing, but not harvesting, an annual grass, legume or a mixture of grass and legume...
southern.sare.org resources soil-biology-cover-crops-and-disease-suppression Soil Biology: Cover Crops and Disease Suppression Soil Biology.pdf 445.11 kB Introduction Cover crops provide several benefits to soil health such as improving soil structure, reducing the need for synthetic chemicals by decreasing weed biomass, increasing soil...
southern.sare.org resources nrcs-campaign-overview-unlocks-secrets-in-the-soil NRCS Campaign Overview: Unlocks Secrets in the Soil NRCS Soils Campaign.pdf 773.12 kB Background Soil is the factory of our food. It is the key to our survival— the foundation of life. To meet the projected needs of...
southern.sare.org resources introducing-annuals-in-grazed-pastures Introducing Annuals in Grazed Pastures Introducing Annuals in Grazed Pastures.pdf 1.58 MB Annual cover crops provide ecosystem benefits to perennial-based pasture systems by introducing quality forage at opportune times of the year, creating a more...
southern.sare.org resources grazing-cover-crops-in-cropland Grazing Cover Crops in Cropland Grazing Cover Crops in Cropland.pdf 1.04 MB Cover crops are an important component of conservation agricultural systems in the Southeastern U.S. For some producers with extensive experience using cover crops,...
southern.sare.org resources equipment-demonstration-and-conservation-systems-overview Equipment Demonstration and Conservation Systems Overview Equipment Demonstration and Conservation Systems Overview.pdf 2.01 MB Introduction Soils in the Southeastern U.S. are very low in organic matter, which can be attributed to high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall...
southern.sare.org resources economics-of-cover-crops-ii-part-1-usda-nrcs-cover-crop-economics-decision-support-tool Economics of Cover Crops II (Part 1): USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Economics Decision Support Tool Economics of Cover Crops II.pdf 881.67 kB For conservation planners, it is sometimes difficult to clearly predict benefits and costs for producers who are considering adopting cover crops. For producers,...
southern.sare.org resources economics-of-cover-crops-i-profitability-of-cover-crops-in-row-crop-production-and-federal-cost-share-for-cover-crops Economics of Cover Crops I: Profitability of Cover Crops in Row Crop Production and Federal Cost Share for Cover Crops Economics of Cover Crops I.pdf 1.49 MB An Introduction to the Economics of Cover Crops Cover crops are not new to the Southern U.S. The “Old Rotation” in Auburn, Alabama...
southern.sare.org resources cover-crops-for-weed-management-in-row-crops Cover Crops for Weed Management in Row Crops Cover Crops for Weed Management in Row Crops.pdf 732.08 kB Cover crops can be used to provide weed suppression in subsequent cash crops. In the Southeastern and Mid-South U.S., questions...
southern.sare.org resources evaluating-nutrient-soil-health-and-economic-benefits-of-compost-additions-to-summer-cover-crops-for-strawberries-in-north-carolina Evaluating Nutrient, Soil Health, and Economic Benefits of Compost Additions to Summer Cover Crops for Strawberries in North Carolina Cover Crops for Strawberry Production.pdf 564.45 kB While production practices such as cover crops and compost have been shown to enhance soil health and various crop yields, there are few...
southern.sare.org resources cover-crop-establishment-and-residue-management Cover Crop Establishment and Residue Management Cover Crops Establishment and Residue Management.pdf 1.01 MB Benefits associated with cover crops that may include erosion control, increased organic matter, increased water infiltration, and weed suppression are all typically...