Ryan Stockwell’s Archive

Why You Should Use No Till and Cover Crops This Planting Season

It’s that time of year again when farmers’ hearts begin to beat a little faster in anticipation of the spring planting rush. Across rural America, farmers excitedly prepare tractors and planters, finalize … Read more

Researchers Recognize Conservation Agriculture’s Benefits

For the first time, a land grant university has recognized the benefits of a conservation practice to productivity and is changing recommended fertilizer rates accordingly. Read more

Myth Busted: Cover Crops and Soil Temperatures

We’ve all probably heard the old fact that cover crops result in colder, wetter soils. It seems this myth has been around amazingly longer than cover crops themselves. It is … Read more

Evidence Builds: No Till and Cover Crops Make Working Lands More Wildlife-Friendly

In late April, when the snow finally receded (I didn’t think spring would ever get here), I decided to take a walk through my field that was winter wheat last … Read more

No Till, Cover Crops and Wildlife: A Lively Combination

After harvest of winter wheat earlier this year, an interesting thing happened: my field, with the wheat residue remaining and cover crops growing, became migratory waterfowl Mecca. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeyZtr8GHLY[/youtube] Why was … Read more

Soil Health, Risk Management, and Wildlife: Observed Benefits of Cover Crops and No Till

Spring has finally sprung in central Wisconsin.  After a Mother’s Day dusting of snow temps have finally climbed to the seasonal average, but precipitation continues to inundate fields with moisture.  … Read more

Three Things I’ve Learned from Converting to No Till and Cover Crops

As I wrap up year number two of converting my farmland to no till and cover crops, I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect. No better time … Read more

What I Learned About My Farm from Two Minutes in the Rain

Driving home one evening earlier this summer, I noticed a lot of water in roadside ditches after a sizable storm rolled through the area.  I thought it would be a … Read more