Standing in a field of his soon-to-be- harvested soybeans about a half-hourâs drive east of Little Rock, Ark., Robby Bevis plunges a steel soil probe into the ground. As the morning sun crests the horizon, he dumps the collected dirt into his hand. âThis is the foundation of all agriculture,â he says while sifting the sandy loam soil through his fingers. âAnd we should be doing a better job of protecting it.â
Bevisâs experience with cover crops has completely reshaped his views on farming and his strategy for the future. âIf you would have asked me prior to 2012 if I would be talking about stuff like cover crops, nutrient cycling, and soil health, I would have told you, âNo, thatâs not me,ââ he says. âBut the more Iâve stepped back and looked at it, the more Iâve realized the soil is the key.â
As soon as he finishes the fall harvest, Bevis plants a multispecies mix of cover crops that varies based on his cash crop rotation. At minimum, he plants a three-way blend of cover crops to maximize the diversified benefits each plant species brings to the table. Every mixture always includes a grass, a brassica and legume.
Cost is a common concern many farmers share with Bevis when considering jumping into cover cropping. âEveryone is looking to save money anywhere they can, but you have to look at the bigger picture,â Bevis says. âI honestly donât think we can continue to farm the way we have been and hope to maintain our sustainability.â
While Bevis is confident in the results he has seen from growing cover crops, heâs working with researchers with the University of Arkansas Discovery Farms Program to conduct water infiltration studies, measure soil quality, and test nitrogen application rates on his farms in an effort to provide verifiable data that could benefit other growers.
Each microorganism and subterranean critter plays its own special role in building sustainable soils including mineralizing nutrients for plant uptake, decomposing plant residue, stimulating root growth, biologically controlling soil pathogens, providing structure and much more. When a soilâs underground life is flourishing, it provides nourishment for plants and absorbs and retains water to help minimize the effects of droughts and flooding.Â
âIt takes some patience and may cause some head turning with your neighbors, but itâs worth it,â Bevis says. âWe want to build the soil back up and be proud of the land that we pass on to the next generation.â
Written by Adam Buckallew
All images © Sara Reeves for Momentum Magazine
Read full story here https://www.mfaoil.com/wp-content/uploads/Fall-2019.pdf
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