Water + Energy Progress Awards identify and spotlight innovations in energy efficiency and water conservation on Kansas farms and ranches. We will continue to add resources with each new case study, so check back often!
Conservation Practices that Save: Crop Residue Management: Save ENERGY, Save MONEY
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013“Conservation tillage systems have at least 30 percent of last year’s crop residue on the soil at planting. Residue adequately controls erosion by both wind and water, among other conservation benefits.
A producer can save at least 3.5 gallons of fuel per acre by going from conventional tillage methods to no-till. At November 2005 diesel prices, this amounts to $7.70 per acre in production cost savings. On a farm with 1,000 acres of cropland, these savings add up to 3,500 gallons of
LINK: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/wntsc/?cid=nrcs143_023637
>> Category: Cover Crops, No-Till
>> Case Study: Dale Strickler Darrin Unruh Gail Fuller
USDA Cover Crop Fact sheet
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013USDA Cover Crop Fact sheet
LINK: http://www.ree.usda.gov/ree/news/1209CoverCropsFactSheet.pdf
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Gail Fuller
Managing Cover Crops in Conservation Tillage Systems
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013
LINK: http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Managing-Cover-Crops-Profitably-3rd-Edition/Text-Versio
>> Category: Cover Crops, No-Till
>> Case Study: Dale Strickler Darrin Unruh Gail Fuller
ARS Cover Crop Chart
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013ARS Cover Crop Chart
LINK: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=20323
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Gail Fuller
2012-2013 Cover Crop Survey
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013The 2012-2013 Cover Crop Survey reports on 759 farmers who used cover crops on about 218,000 acres in 2012. The report covers the adoption, benefits, challenges, and yield impacts of cover crops.
LINK: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Educational-Resources/From-the-Field/Cover-Crops-Survey-Analysis
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Gail Fuller
RMA Cover Crop Fact sheet
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013RMA Cover Crop Fact sheet
LINK: http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/rme/covercrops.pdf
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Gail Fuller
Cover Crops for Clean Water
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013Soil and Water Conservation Survey
LINK: http://www.swcs.org/en/publications/cover_crops_for_clean_water.cfm
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Gail Fuller
Save Soil, Nutrients, Money with Cover Crops
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013References to SARE studies on the benefits of cover crops
LINK: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/conservation/save-soil-nutrients-money-cover-crops
>> Category: Soil Health, Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Dale Strickler Darrin Unruh Gail Fuller
USDA NRCS, Soil Health Key Points
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013The NRCS campaign, “Unlock the Secrets of Soil,” focuses on the benefits and methods of improving soil health. Soil Health Key Points provides basic facts on soil health and provides a path to improving soil health and sustainability. A Soil Health Management plan is a great way to focus efforts. It saves energy by using less fuel and maximizing nutrient cycling. It saves water and increases drought tolerance through increased infiltration and water holding capacity. It improves income s
PDF: NRCSSoilHealthKeyPoints.pdf
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Dale Strickler Gail Fuller Darrin Unruh
Cocktail Blends provide fall grazing, soil health
Date Added: Sep 03, 2013Cocktail Blends provide fall grazing, soil health
Beef Magazine
LINK: http://beefmagazine.com/pasture-health/cocktail-blends-provide-fall-grazing-soil-health?page=2
>> Category: Cover Crops
>> Case Study: Gail Fuller