Good tie to rethinkg more than our reliance on #fossilefuesl -

Why some European #farmers are immune to the #fertiliser crisis https://www.euronews.com/2026/03/28/europes-farms-are-reeling-from-the-iran-war-regenerative-farmers-saw-it-coming

#nitrogen #compost #animalmanure #rotationalgrazing #covercrops #soil

Spot the nodules on this vetch? It houses nitrogen fixing bacteria in an anaerobic environment. With sugars from the plant they fix nitrogen from the air making it available to the plants to use to grow.

Can any one tell me why they are a little bit red in color?

#nitrogen #covercrops

A rye grass green manure has done its job over winter. I lifted it with a ho-mi and left it on the surface to continue to break down before the bed is planted up next month.

On other beds I’ve cover killed the rye grass. Both methods work well.

Some bramble roots have been forked up and removed from another bed. Some still need to be removed another time.

This is as much soil disturbance as I’ll ever do. Minimum till rather than no dig. #GreenManure #CoverCrops #Mulch #Allotment #Gardening

So, this article is aimed at commercial growers, but if you happen to have a few plots of land to grow stuff, #CoverCrops and #CropRotation is the way to go!

Top 10 Expert Tips for Growing #OrganicSoybeans: Boost Yield & #Sustainability

Excerpt: "Cover Cropping for Soil Fertility

Cover crops like clover, rye, or hairy vetch are game-changers for organic soybean farmers. They fix nitrogen, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure. For example, red clover can add up to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre, reducing the need for external inputs. Plant cover crops in the off-season and terminate them before soybean planting, either by mowing or rolling. Sample Cover Crop Plan: Year 1: Red clover (fall-planted); Year 2: Organic soybeans; Year 3: Winter wheat followed by a summer cover like buckwheat. This rotation boosts fertility and disrupts pest cycles.

Expert Insight: A 2023 study from Cornell University found that cover crops increased organic soybean yields by up to 15% compared to fields without them.

Tip 3 – Implement Effective Crop Rotation

Benefits of Rotation for Organic Soybeans

Crop rotation is a cornerstone of organic farming, reducing pest and disease pressure while enhancing soil health. Rotating soybeans with crops like corn, wheat, or alfalfa prevents the buildup of soybean-specific pathogens like SCN. It also improves soil structure and nutrient availability. For instance, corn residues add organic matter, while alfalfa fixes nitrogen, benefiting subsequent soybean crops.

Planning a Rotation Schedule

Design a 3-5 year rotation plan tailored to your farm’s needs. A sample rotation might include: Year 1: Corn; Year 2: Organic soybeans; Year 3: Winter wheat; Year 4: Cover crop (e.g., clover); Year 5: Back to soybeans. Avoid planting soybeans in the same field consecutively to minimize disease risk. Case Study: John Miller, an organic farmer in Iowa, increased his soybean yields by 10 bushels per acre after adopting a corn-soybean-wheat rotation, as reported by the Practical Farmers of Iowa."

Read more:
https://agricarehub.com/organic-soybeans/

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowingSoybeans
#HarvestingSoybeans #GrowYourOwn
#GrowYourOwnFood #Soybeans #SoybeanCrops

UK debut: a massive agricultural octocopter - Crop Angel's DJI Agras T100 (3.2m span, 100kg payload) flew at a Norfolk farm.

For now it spreads cover crop seed (CAA/CRD still block spraying).

Demo at LAMMA Jan 14-15.

Under £20k. #AgTech #CoverCrops

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25720563.crop-angels-huge-agricultural-drone-takes-flight-norfolk/

University of California: New online tool helps growers choose cover crops. “For the first time, farmers in California and throughout the West have a decision-support tool that recommends cover-crop species based on growers’ unique situations and goals.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/11/05/university-of-california-new-online-tool-helps-growers-choose-cover-crops/