By Steve Lawler

Resource Specialist, Mower SWCD

Living microorganisms are so small that you need a microscope to see them all. However, without microorganisms the soil would be nothing but a massive block of sand, silt and clay. To thrive, microorganisms need actively growing roots for energy. Adding cover crops to your management will promote a thriving population and diversity of living microorganisms. Cover crops can often be planted after late harvested crops with success. Planting cover crops after early harvested canning crops and corn silage is very successful.

What is a cover crop, you may ask? Cover crops are the plants that are grown to build organic matter (including microorganisms), improve soil infiltration, reduce erosion and suppress weeds, diseases and pests. Cover crops can also be used as a feed source for livestock producers. These benefits don’t stop when field crops stop growing. Cover crop root systems will feed soil microorganisms beyond the normal growing season. In return, the landowner is the recipient of the benefits above as well as a better crop the following growing season.

The soils on your farm cannot be taken for granted. Erosion causes irreplaceable soil loss that neither human effort nor nature can replace. Poor soil health causes crop and environmental damage. Cover crops provide the tool for farmers to address both. By keeping the soil covered with plants beyond the normal growing season, the resource is protected from the elements that Mother Nature sends us. At the same time, the quality of the soil resource will improve as well. This practice can dramatically improve the condition of our soils within our lifetime, but the true benefactor will be the next generation. As Hugh Bennett said “If we are bold in our thinking, courageous in accepting new ideas, and willing to work with instead of against our land, we shall find in conservation farming an avenue to the greatest food production the world has ever known — not only for the war, but for the peace that is to follow.”

If you any questions, contact Steve Lawler at 507-434-2603 or steve.lawler@mowerswcd.org