Jeff Moyer's work in organic no-till farming is a game-changer for sustainable agriculture. His experience at the Rodale Institute and leadership role with the National Organic Standards Board give him a unique perspective on the long-term health of soil and the future of organic farming.
The strategies he discusses in his book are especially valuable for farmers who want to reduce labor, protect soil structure, and minimize tillage. His approach, which is based on years of research and field-testing, provides a solid foundation for transitioning to or maintaining no-till systems while improving productivity and sustainability.
If you're exploring ways to implement no-till techniques in your operations or share knowledge about them, his insights could be really valuable. Are you thinking of incorporating these methods on your farm or project?
What is organic cover crop-based rotational reduced-tillage (pdf)
DownloadErin Silva, Ph.D.
Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Field research highlights the benefits of planting soybeans into cereal rye at the boot stage, followed by roller-crimping the rye 2–3 weeks later after soybean emergence. This early planting strategy resulted in an average yield increase of 8 bushels per acre compared to soybeans planted after rye termination at anthesis. Additionally, planting into rye at the boot
This video showcases key components for successfully implementing cover crop-based no-till systems on Wisconsin farms. It also highlights practical equipment modifications that can enhance the effectiveness of this approach. Interest in organic no-till farming is rapidly increasing—not only among organic producers, but also among conventional farmers seeking to incorporate cover crops and explore more sustainable, non-chemical weed management strategies.
Organic no-till production relies on fall-sown cover crops to suppress weeds in the subsequent growing season. At planting, a roller-crimper is used to terminate the overwintered cover crop, creating a dense mulch layer on the soil surface. The cash crop is then directly seeded into this residue, allowing it to emerge through the terminated cover while effectively minimizing weed pressure throughout the season.
Erin Silva highlights that variety selection matters—‘Aroostook’ rye matures earlier and consistently provides better biomass and weed suppression, making it a strong choice for organic no-till systems.
Jeff Moyer of the Rodale Institute explains that roller crimping helps organic farmers manage weeds without herbicides by terminating cover crops and creating a thick mulch. This mulch improves soil health, conserves moisture, reduces erosion, and allows cash crops to grow with minimal tillage.
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