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25 NJ farmers participate in USDA regenerative farming demonstration to identify best practices
Story Date: 5/25/2021
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Source: NORTH JERSEY RC&D
Project Overview
Twenty-five northern New Jersey farmers are taking part in a 1500+ acre, on-farm soil health demonstration. Farmers will evaluate cutting-edge agricultural practices while North Jersey RC&D carefully analyzes their records, soils, and crops to determine long-term practice efficacy.
By identifying, documenting, and evaluating regionally successful cover crop termination approaches, this project will help farmers realize the full benefits of cover crops, encouraging additional soil health system adoption.
The study examines how farmers can maximize the soil health and agronomic benefits of cover crops. Cover crops are typically grasses and clovers, seeded in the fall, destined not to be harvested -- but sown for the benefit of soil health. During the winter and early spring, cover crops suppress weeds, prevent soil erosion, help build and improve soil fertility and quality. Under traditional management, cover crops are killed through herbicide or tillage in the early spring, paving the way for corn, soybean, and vegetable crops. This trial will examine alternative termination strategies that not only boost soil health benefits but also increase profitability. Farmers enrolled in the study will commit to either (1) planting cash crops through green, growing cover crops, (2) grazing cover crops, or (3) using a roller-crimper to kill the cover crops.
For more of this story, click here.
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