Some farmers still plow and summer fallow.

Others have discovered the benefits of no-till drill farming.

Something that is new to most farmers is the idea of using cover crops.  The general idea is to plant a second crop after the first one has been harvested.  Farmers who also run livestock are using this practice to provide forage for their animals after they harvest the first crop.

The practice has a number of benefits:

• 2nd crop adds something to the soil, such as nitrogen

•  2nd crop actually preserves more moisture than it consumes

There are other benefits as well, such as dramatically increasing the carrying capacity of property and improving the health of the soil.

The picture shown here is from a cover crop experiment on my ranch.  As you can see, the cover crop is just beginning to grow.  We no-till drilled millet and alfalfa directly into the sod on about 20 acres.  The theory is that, since the cool season grasses have now begun to END their growing season, this millet could provide a second crop of forage, while the alfalfa would add nitrogen to the soil and become a positive addition to forage in coming years.  So far, I am encouraged and excited about the results.

Most cover crops are done on farm ground, rather than virgin sod or pasture.  My brother, Gary, has been an advocate of cover crops and has used his ranches as a virtual laboratory for several years.   Through his successes and failures (it’s definitely a learning process) I have gained some valuable information.  He has also motivated me by example to try some of this myself.

Another exciting thing for me is that the South Dakota State University is conducting some trial planting plots on our ranch this year.  They have done previous tests on some of our farm ground.  This test is being done on pasture/sod ground.  They are using one seed mixture with several planting dates.  The results will be monitored and provide important information.  The seed mixture they are using is: Austrian Winter Peas, Everleaf 114 Oat, German Golden Millet, Gulf Annual Ryegrass, Bayou Kale, Crimson Clover and Jackhammer Radish.

An experiment I intend to do next year is to drill some perennial warm season grasses into native sod.  The idea is to expand the growing season and create a more healthy soil with more forage.  Stay tuned… I’ll share the results.

In the meantime, there is plenty of information already available for those who are interested.

 

***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”

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