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upset the balance of a stable and active<br />
biology. Cover Crop seed, depending on<br />
species, will cost you between $25-$50<br />
per acre plus planting costs. Lets say<br />
an additional $20 per acre in labor and<br />
diesel. On the high side that’ll add up<br />
to less than $200 per acre. Now for the<br />
benefit. A good cover crop out here in<br />
the <strong>West</strong> such as beans, peas, vetch and<br />
barley can get to two feet high. That<br />
massive amount of green matter can be<br />
as high as six tons per acre dry matter.<br />
When that is disked in you’ve just added<br />
a total of nine tons of cured compost<br />
and green waste to your soil. Studies<br />
have shown a good cover crop can also<br />
release up to 50 units of Nitrogen eight<br />
weeks after incorporation. That amount<br />
of organic matter reconstituted into low<br />
OM soils can have dramatic effects in a<br />
few short years.<br />
Lasting Benefits<br />
Increases in soil organic matter will<br />
have so many lasting benefits. Soil<br />
structure improves. Tilthe improves.<br />
Soil biology improves. Weed control<br />
improves. <strong>Nut</strong>rient and water holding<br />
capacity improves. <strong>Nut</strong>rient incorporation<br />
and assimilation improves<br />
dramatically as soil biology flourishes.<br />
When Mother Nature serves up<br />
another drought pattern, improved<br />
water holding capacity can ensure a<br />
higher yield. A weather pattern conducive<br />
to phytophthora in wet conditions<br />
can be diminished by a soil structure<br />
that moves water effectively through<br />
the profile. Pythium, nematodes and<br />
fusarium can be thwarted by active<br />
biology competing with them or eating<br />
their eggs. Mother Nature is relentless<br />
to farmers. But we are a tough breed.<br />
We never stop learning. Working hard<br />
has never been an issue for a farmer.<br />
Prepare, plan and perform. Countering<br />
Mother Nature’s detrimental moves by<br />
building our soil health will give us that<br />
edge. Having our soils at peak performance<br />
will take that next curve ball she<br />
throws and hit it out of the park.<br />
Encourage<br />
Root Growth<br />
Replenish Trees for<br />
Next Season<br />
Improve<br />
<strong>Nut</strong>rient Uptake<br />
Mitigate Soil Salinity<br />
from Ground Water<br />
Comments about this article? We want<br />
to hear from you. Feel free to email us at<br />
article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />
www.wcngg.com<br />
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