Sustainable Agriculture
Cover crops are important components of sustainable agricultural systems. They bring numerous benefits while at the same time have a minimal effect on the environment.
In this section, find information on sustainable agriculture of cover crops, including crop rotation and conservation tillage, extending the grazing season, and interseeding. Find tips on soil compaction and using flowering cover crops for native pollinating bee conservation.
Cover Crops in Sustainable Agriculture
Cover crops play a vital role in sustainable agriculture. They can be used to increase surface residue and help reduce soil erosion. There are improvements in the structure and water-holding capacity of the soil when cover crops are used. Flowering cover crops are also being used for native pollinating bee conservation. At the same time, the issue of cover crop control is something else producers have to be aware of.
Producers can use a wide range of cover crops, depending on their specific goals. On livestock farms, farmers use sustainable dairy cropping systems, such as roller-crimping cover crops, manure injection, or leguminous cover crops. Penn State Extensions Sustainable Dairy Cropping Systems Research Tour provides a hands-on approach to help you learn about the latest practices. The Cover Crop Field Day workshop and Farming for Success workshop also provides expert instruction on various cropping systems.
There can be issues with cover crop systems, especially when there is a late harvest or short season. Interseeding cover crops is one method that has proved to be successful in corn. A team from Penn State Extension has been evaluating the Cover Crop Interseeder and Applicator system for several years on farms in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland.
Cover Crops and Soil Conservation Practices
Cover crops play a fundamental role in any sustainable farming system but are most commonly used to protect and build up the soil, and ensure it stays healthy and productive. Cover crops are grown in the fall, following a harvest where they remain during the winter. In the spring they are terminated and left on the surface as a residue for conservation tillage. Farmers also incorporate them into the soil.
When properly planned and executed, cover crops protect farmland during its most vulnerable period and help to maximize soil fertility.
Conservation Tillage and Cover Crops
Conservation tillage is a system that leaves enough crop residue on the soil surface after planting to provide 30% soil cover. According to SSSA, this is the amount needed to reduce erosion below tolerance levels. Conservation tillage practitioners, however, typically aim for greater soil cover because of the added benefits of crop residue.
Cover crops play a vital role in creating this residue, thereby maximizing tillage benefits. A well-planned crop-rotation system that involves various cover crops helps producers avoid problems such as increased soil compaction, perennial weeds, plant diseases, and slow early season growth.
- Articles
Summer Cover Crop Options
Harvesting crops in summer opens a window for a variety of cover crop species - News
Drought Watch Update - Conditions Approaching Normal
Date Posted 2/6/2024After ending 2023 with a drought watch for thirteen Pennsylvania counties, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that hydrologic conditions are normal for all but eight counties on February 6, 2024. - Articles
Intensive Grazing Management of Cover Crops for Soil Health
With the new interest in grazing cover crops, are there effects on soil health and compaction? The results of an on-farm Pennsylvania study looking into this are presented here. - News
Government Program Funding for Conservation Practices
Date Posted 5/9/2023Basic overview of a few government programs for Pennsylvania farmers. - Articles
Interpretation of Soil Health Tests
Management to improve soil health has many benefits, but care is needed when interpreting soil health test results. - Articles
Flowering Cover Crops for Native Pollinating Bee Conservation
Conservation strategies that can be employed across your farm or in your garden to help maintain healthy native bee populations. - Articles
Managing a Beneficial Soil Fungus for Insect Control
Pest suppression is an important function of healthy soil. The effects of cover crops and soil characteristics on a beneficial fungus are being examined. - Articles
The Do's and Don'ts of Winter Manure Spreading
If winter manure spreading is absolutely unavoidable, follow these requirements to do it legally. - Articles
Terminating Cover Crops with a Roller Crimper in Organic Grain Rotations
Optimizing timing of hairy vetch and cereal rye rolling can prevent incomplete cover crop termination. - Articles
Get Ready to Plant Cover Crops
Bring the substantial benefits of cover crops to your fields and farm. Now is the time to select your species and plan for their establishment. - Articles
What Is Carbon?
There is so much talk about carbon and agriculture. Have you wondered what carbon is and why it is important? - Workshops
Cover Crop Walk
Length 2 hoursAre there alternatives to double-crop soybeans when it comes to cover crops? Yes! Join us for a twilight crop walk to learn about various cover crop options! - Articles
Using Integrated Pest Management to Balance Soil Health and Insect Management
Research Spotlight. Novel research is exploring how insecticides and fungicides influence soil health. - Articles
Potential to Integrate Grazing into No-Till Systems
This publication details rotating perennial pastures with annual crops, grazing cover crops, and grazing crop residue—all of which show promise to improve profit and soil health and increase diversity on crop farms. - Articles
Managing Soil Health: Concepts and Practices
Information for farmers and gardeners who want to understand the physical, chemical, and biological components of healthy soil and how to manage them. - Articles
Effects of Soil Compaction
Soil compaction is the reduction of soil volume due to external factors; this reduction lowers soil productivity and environmental quality. - Articles
Avoiding Soil Compaction
The increasing size of farm equipment may cause significant soil compaction that can negatively affect soil productivity as well as environmental quality. - Articles
Diagnosing Soil Compaction Using a Penetrometer (Soil Compaction Tester)
A diagnostic tool to measure the extent and depth of subsurface compaction is a penetrometer, or soil compaction tester.