Wellsburg farmer explains benefits of cover cropping

By: 
Rob Maharry

As soil conservation and environmental practices have become hot topics in agriculture over the last few years, some farmers are stepping up to the plate and voluntarily working to leave their ground in a better condition for future generations. Wellsburg area farmer Tim Diamond recently shared some information on the process of cover cropping during an interview with The Grundy Register.
           
“Everybody always thinks farmers are wasteful and just dumping (everything),” he said. “It’s one way to help keep the soil intact.”
           
This year, Diamond is planting cover crops, which are left in the soil throughout the winter and removed in the spring, on approximately 165 of his acres, and he has chosen rye as his crop of choice. The process keeps nutrients in the ground and provides long-term benefits for farmers looking to preserve their soil. Other popular cover crops include grass, oats and radishes. The practice has become increasingly common over the last five years. 
 
Read more in this week's Grundy Register. 

The Grundy Register

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