Cover Crops
Digging Deeper – More Than Trash – Why Residue Matters
More Than Trash – Why Residue Matters breaks down how residue from each crop impacts soil nitrogen availability. The resource explores key questions related to decomposition of residue, soil microbial activity, and why certain crop rotations require more N fertilizer than others. Ever wonder how soybean residue influences nitrogen availability for the next crop? Check out this resource to answer this question and many more!
To explore more resources, visit ISAP’s Digging Deeper page to access more soil health focused resources. The Digging Deeper series skips the basics, and digs right into the issues at hand. These resources provide detailed science-backed information for farmers and their advisors.
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Illinois Cover Crop Quick Reference Guide
The Illinois Cover Crop Initiative (ICCI) created this general overview of planting information for common cover crops.
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Cover Crop Seeding Methods Guide
Making cover crop seeding decisions can be a complicated process. ISAP developed the Cover Crop Seeding guide to help producers understand the benefits and considerations of various cover crop application methods. The Cover Crop Seeding guide gives an overview of nine cover crop seeding techniques.
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ISAP’s Introduction to Soil Health Practices
The Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s recent publication, “An Introduction to Soil Health Practices,” clearly communicates the role of soil health practices in addressing agronomic challenges and resource concerns. Co-author Torey Colburn, Conservation Agronomist with American Farmland Trust, and Helen VanBeck, Program Manager with American Farmland Trust provide an overview of the practical agronomic information included in the guidebook, including how practices like cover crops and no-till, when managed correctly, can build soil health in the field, suppress weed pressure, and limit nutrient loss. Torey and Helen are also joined by two farmers whose stories are shared in the guidebook as real-world examples of how farmers are finding success with these practices.
Watch VideoIllinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy & Agricultural Conservation Practices
This 1-pager created by Illinois Extension, gives a brief overview of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (INLRS), highlights nutrient loss in Illinois, impacts of nutrient loss, and conservation practices that can address in-field and edge of field nutrient loss.
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Digging Deeper: Cover Crop Mixes
Cover crop mixes are a great tool that can be used to address a wide range of field concerns and production goals. This resource is meant to guide your design of a cover crop mix that is applicable to your production environment, highlight various considerations of mix designs, and support your development of an adaptive strategy to successfully use multispecies cover crops on your farm.
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