Some weeks ago, the West Coast ag magazine Capital Press posted this article about Oregon-grown annual ryegrass and a new partner in Midwest cover crop acreage: crimson clover:
Capital Press, Salem, Oregon (by Mitch Lies)
They aren’t synonymous with salt and pepper, but apparently annual ryegrass and crimson clover are combining to provide good benefits to Midwest [...]
Continue reading about Annual Ryegrass and Crimson Clover Mixture for Specialty Cover Crop
Roger Wenning, a Greensburg, IN farmer and cover crop advocate recently held a field day to measure root depth of annual ryegrass planted as a cover crop at various dates last fall and winter.
Wenning is one of 40 or so “Innovators” featured in a report by Dr. Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University professor. That report is available on [...]
Continue reading about Indiana Field Day Examines Annual Ryegrass Root Depth Results
This post came from “Go Green Toolshed,” a blog on the virtues and mechanics of organic farming. It seemed particularly on target with this segment talking about benefits of no-till farming and its relationship to the carbon dioxide cycle:
The land-based carbon cycle works as plants take CO2 out of the atmosphere and convert it to [...]
Continue reading about Organic farming depends on cover crops and no-till
The Midwest Cover Crop Council’s conference last week - where 120 people from 13 states came to talk about cover crops - is the latest indication of the growing excitement in reducing conventional tillage in favor of no-till and cover crops. Cover crops save money (in fact, there are financial incentives available) and boost crop [...]
Continue reading about Bumper Crop of New Interest in Cover Crops - including Annual Ryegrass
In the last year, Penn State conducted tests on various nine cover crop species, including annual ryegrass, as well as eight mixtures. The tests took place on 374 plots through the state. Click here to see the power point presentation.
The advantages listed on annual ryegrass include:
low seed cost
vigorous root system
high forage quality (if needed)
The advantage [...]
Continue reading about Penn State’s Cover Crop Demonstrations - Annual Ryegrass Values
Mike Plumer, an agronomist with the University of Illinois began to recommend annual ryegrass over a decade ago, when he discovered its value as a nitrogen-scavenging cover crop.
“When a soybean plant dies, it immediately starts to degrade. If you get any rainfall on the residue or through the nodules, it’s going to leach nitrogen quickly.”
The [...]
Continue reading about Annual Ryegrass Scavenges Nitrogen from Old Crops - Gives it up to New Crops
