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Soil Health

Event: Feeding Alternative Forages

Join us for Feeding Alternative Forages Field Day - August 19, 2025 from noon - 2:30pm at Goldview Farms in Waverly. It's perfect for farmers looking to diversify forage sources, improve soil health, and gain real-world perspectives. See full details and register today!

Cover Crop Seeding is Just Around the Corner

Plan now for soil health and future yield

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Summer and county fair season are in full swing, but cover crop seeding time is just around the corner. Now is the time to start considering which options will work best for your operation, asking questions, and getting your seed ordered. You can choose to spread it yourself, or we can help with ground rigs or drones. Drones can be especially helpful for acres that are wet or difficult to access. 

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Ready to get started? You can find detailed information on cover crop species or reach out to your local crop advisor for more info! 

Curious about Cost Share Opportunities?

You can still apply for cost share programs to get the most out of  your cover crop acres. To learn more about your options, contact your local Soil & Water Conservation District office. View a full list of locations here. 

Soil Health Equipment Grants - Open NOW!

Applications for Minnesota's Soil Health Financial Assistance Program are open from now until August 29th at 4:00pm. These grants can cover the purchase of new and used equipment, and parts to retrofit existing equipment to advance soil health. Awards range from $500 - $45,000 (up to 50%) cost-share with $4.36M available state-wide for fiscal year 2026. View full details on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture site. 

Do You Plan to Plant Cover Crops in 2025? Use your Data to Help Farmers!

If you or someone you know are planting cover crops this fall, you can help share local data on spring growth that can help other farmers make cover crop decisions. Learn more about the Great Lakes Cover Crop Project. 

Cover Crops for Prevented Planting

Excessive precipitation and persistently wet conditions have prevented the planting of corn and soybeans in some fields and led to ponding and drown-out in others. Planting a cover crop in these acres can help control weeds and prevent erosion while enhancing soil structure and overall soil health. Here are two non-overwintering cover crop mixes assembled in partnership with Saddle Butte Ag. To learn more about these species in these blends, visit our Cover Crops page.

Prices start at around $10/acre. To get pricing on the blends below or find a cover crop that will work for you, contact your Crop Advisor. Visit our Locations page to find the Centra Sota location nearest to you!

Non-Overwintering Cover Crop Mix
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Recommended Guidelines for This Mix:

  • Planting Date - Early to Mid-July

  • Planting Method - Surface application is possible, but incorporation into the soil is recommended for optimal results.

  • Mix with Pell Lime or Potash at 125 lbs/acre

  • Ideal for row crop farms that want to promote soil biology and nutrient scavenging with the ease of termination over winter. 

Summer Annual Forage for Green Chop or Wrapped Hay
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Recommended Guidelines for This Mix:

  • Planting Date – Early to Mid-July

  • Planting Method – Drill

  • Harvest Timeframe – 45 days after planting

  • Harvest Method – Cut when forage is 3 inches tall, lay out residue as wide as possible. Merge if possible or if raking only skim the top layer together.

  • Note - For dry baled hay, remove kale and increase Sudangrass to 35 lbs/acre

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