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Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm

Demonstrating Cover Crop Mixtures on Iowa Farmland: Management, Soil Health, and Water Quality Benefits

Authors: Emily Waring (Iowa State University) , Matthew J. Helmers (Iowa State University) , Mark A. Licht (Iowa State University) , Liz Juchems (Iowa Learning Farms) , Sarah Carlson (Practical Farmers of Iowa)

  • Demonstrating Cover Crop Mixtures on Iowa Farmland: Management, Soil Health, and Water Quality Benefits

    Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm

    Demonstrating Cover Crop Mixtures on Iowa Farmland: Management, Soil Health, and Water Quality Benefits

    Authors: , , , ,

Abstract

Iowa landowners and farmers increasingly are seeing the value of single species cover crops. In theory, cover crop mixtures have the same advantages as diverse species ecosystems like prairies. The most important advantage would be greater and more stable total plant growth. Mixing species with complimentary features can take advantage of multiple niches and environmental conditions in space, weather, time, and seasons. The project’s goal is to evaluate management techniques that will increase growth and improve the overall environmental benefits of cover crops in improving soil health and reducing nutrient losses.

How to Cite:

Waring, E., Helmers, M. J., Licht, M. A., Juchems, L. & Carlson, S., (2021) “Demonstrating Cover Crop Mixtures on Iowa Farmland: Management, Soil Health, and Water Quality Benefits”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports 2020(1).

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Published on
2021-04-19