Cover Crops: Changing The Face Of Farming Profession

Research agencies are engaged in innovating new means and methods to improve the quality of farming yield as well as to make farming more attractive profession. Governments too are supporting these agenesis because of many reasons. Switching over from farming to another profession has become very common in many countries. This switch over has reached up to the alarming situation. The efforts of governments have controlled the situations but even then much is to be done. To encourage the farmers for having cover crops during the gap period between two main crops is the part of farmers’ supporting policy.

Cover crops are known as gap crops also. Researchers and farmers have observed increased beneficial insects numbers because of gap crop. This intermittent period crop generates nectar and pollen which is essential for the survival and growth of main cash crops. Besides, these crops create space for much needed insects’ growth. Gap crop it left untilled attracts beneficial insects. The benefits start coming back into the pockets of farmers in multiple ways just from next main crop. Most farmers experience significant reduction in needed quantity of pesticides and fertilizers.

If right cover crop is planted at right time, benefits would be better. Though some of these can’t be recognized visibly but you feel the effects of those in the increased volume total yield. Selection of right cover crop means a lot. We have many options to selection from. Comprehensive cover crops planning is important. To get the maximum benefits, rotation is must. For example, Soybean and Corn crops rotation adjusts rye crop in between. Hairy vetch crop can be had after soybean crop; it is very good resource for nitrogen. Rye crop supports the water-conservation. It suppresses early-season weeds for next soybean crop. The weather conditions, soil nature and planned main crops etc are the main aspects that due specific attention.

You may get the help from governments agencies if you are not much experienced with this technique; many of these offer this help free of costs. Until few years back, these crops were not sold into the market because these were not used in any production or for any other application. But now many gap crops can be sold out at good price; at least you get the cost of inputs. The use of cover crops is not limited only to commercial or large scale farming; instead it is used for home gardening also. When you plan for cover crops plantation, get the soil test and suitability reports from reputed labs in accordance to existing facilities.

About the Author:- Jonnie T. Allen is writing articles for slyagri, We specialize in agriculture Development by strip-till, striptill, strip tillage, strip cat, cover crops, cover crop farming and many more…