Podcasts Science Regenerative Agriculture Podcast Erosion, Soil Balance, and Cover Crops with Steve Groff

Erosion, Soil Balance, and Cover Crops with Steve Groff

Published: May 5, 2018, 1:08 p.m.

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This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Steve Groff, a farmer and cover crop pioneer who has also worked with the University of Maryland on extensive cover crop research. Steve founded Cover Crop Coaching in 2016 and has spoken to audiences across North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, and many other parts of the world on the use of cover crops across the full range of agricultural applications.

In this episode, we talk about important management tools to incorporate with cover crops, the causes of erosion in a soil system, and how farmers can supply consumer demand for nutritional value. We also discuss farm economics, the books Steve read that started him in cover cropping and a step by step guide for growers who want to start developing healthy soil.

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Support For This Show & Helping You Grow

This show is brought to you by\\xa0AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006.

If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email\\xa0hello@advancingecoag.com\\xa0or call\\xa0800-495-6603 extension 344\\xa0to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.

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Resources recommended by Steve

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Episode 7 - Steve Groff -\\xa0Highlights

3:00 - What are some of the memorable moments that have lead Steve to where he is today?

  • Steve started no till in the early 80\\u2019s - Solely to stop soil erosion
  • A key moment for Steve was 3 years into doing no till - He noticed his soil was beginning to \\u201cmellow out\\u201d
  • Today we can transfer to no till much faster than ever before
  • In 1995 Steve started researching cover crops - he noticed after a drought year that he had 28 bushels more of corn preceding the previous 3 years
  • Steve is all-in on cover crops!

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8:20 - Erosion is a symptom of a bigger problem

  • Healthier soil isn\\u2019t going to blow or wash away
  • We don\\u2019t have a runoff problem, we have a water infiltration problem
  • Steve is encouraged by seeing mainstream agriculture start to clue in

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10:00 - Can we completely resolve erosion with the use of cover crops?

  • We can greatly reduce it
  • Not just cover crops - there are many other practices however they are a key component. Cover crops are a tool - you need to manage them properly
  • Having a living root in the soil as long as possible is important
  • Having diversity of species is important - we can enhance this with cover crops!
  • Less/zero soil disturbance is important

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12:30 - What are some of the other important tools farmers should incorporate?

  • Fertility management - (Ex: Avoid anhydrous ammonia, high salt fertilizers)
  • Once you get your soil functioning, you can start unlocking things that were locked before, such as allowing more access to certain minerals
  • Steve isn\\u2019t saying everyone needs to be no till - but does advocate it. Tillage is a destructive event

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15:10 - How important is it to have a diversity of cover crops?

  • There is a time and a place for single species cover crops
  • Steve always plants mixed species
  • You have to play around and see what works on your farm!
  • How many species do you need? Going beyond 6-8; advantages start to level off.
  • Mixed species doesn\\u2019t necessarily have to be expensive
  • Cover crop mixes can be thought of as a \\u201cone plus one equals three\\u201d solution

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20:30 - What is something that Steve has puzzled over?

  • The link to human health from how we grow plants and nutrient density
  • Steve noticed that the USDA doesn\\u2019t say how they establish the averages for nutritional value
  • Steve is looking into creating branding for nutritional basis

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26:00 - Does Steve believe it is possible that farmers will be compensated for growing quality

  • Generally, Steve thinks yes.
  • Majority of plant genetics are made for yield - so it may take awhile to get right
  • There are some plant breeders that are now breeding for quality over yield

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30:50 - Buyers care about flavor and aroma - These are the same markers of nutrient density

  • Flavor and aroma is what makes repeat customers
  • These can also be traced back to plant genetics and breeding - it\\u2019s important to build from the ground up
  • Big similarities between microbiome of our gut and the microbiome of soil

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35:50 - What is something that has surprised Steve in his work?

  • The importance of soil health - What tools like cover crops and no tillage are capable of
  • Once you get the system working, you don\\u2019t need as much input!
  • Steve expects to continue being surprised as he tries to discover more

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38:00 - What does Steve believe to be true about agriculture that many others do not?

  • Reducing input is not going to lead to \\u201cmining out\\u201d the soil
  • That the use of insecticides and fungicides can be reduced
  • \\u201cWould you take chemo to prevent cancer?\\u201d

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41:40 - What does Steve believe to be the biggest opportunity in agriculture today?

  • Cycles always come and go
  • Regenerative agriculture and growing with reduced input
  • Steve believes there is a bright future ahead

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45:00 - What is a book or resource that Steve would recommend?

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46:50 - What ideas or technology is Steve excited about for the future of agriculture?

  • Advancement on cover crop equipment

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50:10 - Is Steve having fun?

  • YES!
  • Steve finds it fulfilling to help farmers and being a steward of God\\u2019s earth

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51:10 - What would Steve recommend to a farmer starting down this path today?

  • Ask: What do you want to accomplish? Good to prioritise when you\\u2019re new
  • Time of year will determine species to plant
  • Only apply a new practice to the amount of plants you can afford to lose
  • Learn all you can - Talk to and follow those who are achieving what you want to do

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54:40 - What does Steve wish John had asked?

  • How the economics work out - \\u201cHow can I do this, and flourish?\\u201d

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56:20 - What has been the economic impact of cover crops on Steve\\u2019s operations?

  • Looking at 5 years - Fertilizer went down 50%, and chemicals went down 37%

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58:20 - What was the cost of these results?

  • Growing your own cover crops cuts down on cost
  • 60-80 lbs of nitrogen instead of 175-200 lbs
  • Average corn yield is between 185-200
  • For pumpkins: Can cut nitrogen rate to 45-50 lbs

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Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com.

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