A new study published in the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment examined how different tillage methods (moldboard plough, vertical/chisel tillage, and no‑tillage) and the use of manure influence soil organic matter, carbon content, and crop yields on working farms in the U.S. Midwest. The research found that crop rotations with mixed forage and hayfields supported higher soil carbon and organic matter compared to continuously cultivated fields, and that positive correlations exist between soil organic matter and corn yield. Incorporating manure helped mitigate soil carbon loss from tillage, though best management practices remain important for long‑term soil and environmental health. This on‑farm research was supported in part by The Herbert W. Hoover Foundation.  

Read the full article » https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sae2.12064