Thinking about applying manure soon on fields where short-season crops like sweet corn or peas have already come off or will be harvested in the next few weeks? Consider planting a cover crop to hold the nutrients in place this fall and next spring, according to this article from University of Minnesota Extension.

USDA officials held a conference call on July 25 announcing further details of the $16 billion package to support American farmers. One of the highlights was new information on the Market Facilitation Program (MFP).

In the first of this two-part Strip-Till Farmer podcast series, bought to you by Topcon Agriculture, we're joined by retired ag engineer Jack Boyer who knows a successful marriage of strip-till and cover crops takes work and a willingness to learn from mistakes, while also celebrating the successes.

Lessiter Media, publishers of No-Till Farmer and Strip-Till Farmer, has announced the launch of new website and event dedicated to providing farmers with practical tips and information on managing cover crops to improve their soil resource, protect the environment and enhance on-farm profitability.

In this Strip-Till Farmer Podcast, bought to you by Topcon Agriculture, Snover, Mich., farmer Ryan Shaw shares the systematic setup and implementation of his twin-row strip-till system, along with the vital role cover crops play in his cropping rotation.

Regional Account Manager Alex Burge with Topcon Agriculture discusses his own experience with strip-tilling and cover crops and how this part of his past helps influence how Topcon can better serve their strip-tilling customers.

Environmental Tillage System's Mike Eaton, Sales manager serving Canada discusses how among the trends he's seeing with strip-till, including cover crop adoption and new research and education unique to the practice demonstrates that there is great potential for growth.

Sales Manager Jake Jass from Copperhead Ag shares his experiences at the National Strip-Tillage Conference and the unique opportunity it presents for talking directly with their strip-tiller audience about their use of cover crops.

Farmers plant cover crops to keep the soil anchored between growing seasons, reaping benefits in soil erosion, fertility, water retention, weed and pest control, and biodiversity. While the practice is growing in popularity, cover crop acreage in the United States remains low.