Farming in Darke County Part 2
By Sam Custer, OSU Extension, Darke County 

Darke County Farmers continue to look at ways to be good stewards of the land they farm.  You can look at this in two polar opposite approaches.  A farmer could be emphasizing stewardship so that he/she can pass the farm on to their son or daughter, and that it be productive for them.  Or they can be doing all that they can be doing to be a steward of the land to maximize their production.  Both are positive for all of as neighbors. 

I am sure that you have seen a relatively new conservation practice which really sticks out as you drive past farm field this fall.  You may see a field this winter that is very green, but you know that it is not winter wheat.  Your first thought may be that the farmer has an invasive weed issue, but what you may find out is the farmer has planted a cover crop for the winter to protect their land from erosion, improve the tilth of the soil and to increase nutrient availability for the upcoming crop. 

So what is that cover crop?  It could be a variety of crops, including cereal rye, pearl millet, field pea, red clover, turnip or radishes. 

What are some other common conservation practices farmers employ? 

Buffers—There are many different types of buffers depending on the site. They usually involve incorporating vegetative plantings, which act as a filtration strip to slow water movement, and to trap nutrients and sediment. 

Conservation tillage—A combination of soil and crop management techniques including managing crop residue and tillage practices in order to aid in soil and organic matter conservation in the field. 

Crop rotation—A common practice of rotating certain crops planted in a particular field from one season to the next in order to break the cycle of weeds, insects, and diseases. 

Filter strips—A type of buffer, grass is planted in strips between crops. 

Grassed waterways—Strips of grass planted where water tends to move across a field, planted to prevent gully erosion. 

Nutrient management—Managing nutrients entering (feed, fertilizer, legume nitrogen) and leaving (crops, milk, meat) the farm system so that crops needs are closely matched with proper inputs of manure and other nutrients as needed. 

Riparian buffers—Planted along a stream bank, usually consisting of trees, shrubs, and grasses. 

Consider thanking your farmer friend and neighbor for being a good steward of the land for you, me and them. 

For more detailed information, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.