Farmer-Led Research
Research reports are written by Practical Farmers staff to ensure consistency and quality, and are available to view or download for free.
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In a Nutshell This project tested the effect on over-wintered garlic yield of planting date and two mulching strategies: companion-seeded oat cover crop vs. straw mulch. Farmer-cooperator Mark Quee planted garlic in September with a companion oat cover …
In a Nutshell Delaying cover crop termination until corn planting is commonly understood to cause corn yield drag. However, the potential for increased cover crop growth by delaying termination has farmers wondering if that yield drag is true …
In a Nutshell Planting cover crops, then grazing or harvesting them, is a practical way to effectively reduce nutrient pollution, plus provide economic benefits to cattle owners. This represents a win-win for livestock producers and water quality for …
In a Nutshell Cover crops and summer annual forage mixes can provide a host of benefits to annual cropping systems: add biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, reduce nutrient loss, increase soil organic matter and reduce weed pressure. Dave and …
In a Nutshell Two farmers tested Spray strips and No-Spray control strips of cereal rye for fungicide residue. This project was a secondary project within “Fungicide and Plant Growth Regulator Effect on Cereal Rye Production” (Gailans et al., …
In a Nutshell Seeding rates of small grains, like triticale, are important to achieve optimal plant stands, yields and yield quality. Paul Mugge compared two seeding rates of winter triticale. Key Findings The two seeding rates resulted in …
In a Nutshell Fungal diseases and lodging can present challenges to raising small grain crops, like cereal rye, in Iowa. Farmer-cooperators investigated the use of fungicides and plant growth regulators on cereal rye seed crops to determine effects …
In a Nutshell Small grain crops, like oats, are seeing renewed interest by farmers in Iowa. Iowa was once a nationwide leader in oats production, but many farm families have not grown them for a generation or two. …
In a Nutshell Cereal rye, oats and other small grains grass species have been proven as effective cover crops in corn-soybean systems in Iowa. Cooperators screened popular grass, legume and brassica species for fall and spring groundcover in …
In a Nutshell Interseeding annuals into pastures increases forage diversity, quality, and quantity. Bruce Carney developed seed mixtures and interseeded them into existing cool season pastures. • Seed mixtures vastly increased pasture diversity. Grazing management to harvest or …
In a Nutshell Compost extract is made by steeping compost in water, then applying the sieved water (with compost extract) as a soil drench with the intention to increase beneficial soil biota, and increased plant health, Brix and …
Summary While there were differences among locations, there were generally no differences in soil health variables between the no-cover and cover crop treatments at individual locations.
