Soil health tillage taking root here
Photo submitted The use of cover crops was a main topic of discussion as about 20 local ag producers and support professionals toured four soil health projects under way from California Mesa at Delta to Olathe. Staff from the NRCS and local conservation districts attended also. Soil health practices are gaining interest and new adherents as local producers share their experiences and look to reap the benefits of improved water quality, less water use, lower carbon inputs, and improved yields.Soil health farming practices are taking root in the Uncompahgre Valley.
A tour of local soil health fields conducted by Jerry Allen and attended by about 20 area producers and ag industry support professionals made demonstration stops at four local farms.
Jack Graff is using winter wheat as a cover crop mix. The management plan, according to Allen, is for a green manure cover crop to enhance spring fertility.
Steve Shea has chosen sorghum sudan for his cover crop. Management options on his field include winter pasture and spring fertility.
Zack Ahlberg is utilizing a cover crop mixture of turnips, tillage radishes, lentils, peas, buckwheat, triticale, kale, clover, rye, and sorghum sudan.
The management plan being used on the field is to graze half the field heavily in fall with half saved for spring fertility, Allen explained.
David Harold has also chosen a cover crop mix. It includes lentils, peas, berseem clover, rye, tillage radishes, hairy vetch, and triticale.
The field management plan is to crimp and roll over, and plant organic sweet corn or organic field corn in the residue.
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