Alberta producers seed their cover crops from an airplane in the fall in an effort to give them a jump on winter wind
Standing in the middle of his field is not something Will Van Roessel would usually recommend when the bright yellow spray plane comes roaring overhead, but this one isn’t spraying; it’s seeding fall rye into his bean crop before it is harvested. When he turns his smartphone camera from the sky to the ground, sure […] Read moreTag Archives cover crops — page 3
Cover crops can produce extra forage
Deciding which cover crops to use will depend on the goal, but producers must make sure not to use too many species
Summer annuals and cover crops can provide grazing for cattle and improve soil health, says Graeme Finn of Southern Cross Livestock near Crossfield, Alta. “There are many options to try, but a person has to narrow it down. Do you want a summer grazing program or a winter program? Do you want to take a […] Read more
Cover crops’ ability to reduce N2O emissions questioned
The practice helps store carbon in the soil but may not be as effective when it comes to reducing nitrous oxide emissions
In February, Agriculture Canada announced $182.7 million in funding to help farmers fight climate change. The money will be distributed to farm groups and non-government organizations that will use the funds to promote the use of cover crops, rotational grazing and improved nitrogen management. The funding has two main objectives: To pull more carbon out […] Read more
Cover crop use expands on Prairies: researcher
Cover crops can help reduce erosion, hold soil moisture and improve soil health. Now a growing number of producers are using cover crops to also provide more forage for livestock. University of Manitoba researchers are conducting surveys to see how and why producers are using cover crops. Emma McGeough, associate professor in the U of […] Read more
Greenhouse gas project focuses on farms
The federal government plans to spend $182 million to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including $40 million for a 26-month project in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) will lead the group overseeing the project, which will encourage and financially support producers who adopt rotational grazing, improve nutrient management and use […] Read more
Scientists, farmers wait on cover crop funding
Governments in Canada offer some financial incentives but most are smaller and provincial in scope than those in U.S.
Tom Vilsack wants more farmers to use cover crops. In early January, the U.S. agriculture secretary unveiled a goal of 30 million acres of cover crops on soybean and corn fields across the U.S. by 2030. The cover crop target is part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture partnership with Farmers for Soil Health — […] Read more
