News

Iowa farmer continues to share cover crop success stories

Pictured: Brownfield’s Brent Barnett (left) with southwest Iowa farmer Mark Peterson at the 2024 NAFB Convention in Kansas City

A southwest Iowa farmer says he continues to adopt conservation practices that help improve soil health on his farm.

Mark Peterson, who also represents Practical Farmers of Iowa, says cover crops have been a successful tool. “In less than 10 years, based on our soil tests on our farm, we’ve been able to increase our organic matter a full 1% and that’s huge.”

Speaking to Brownfield at the 2024 NAFB Convention in Kansas City, he said his cover crops reduce erosion and retain soil moisture. “That extra percent of organic matter will get you an extra inch of water holding capacity, and that’s a two way plus. That’s an extra inch of sponge if you get those four to six or more inches of rain. And then when it gets dry, that’s an extra inch that can be released back to that crop.”

Peterson raises his crops near Stanton and says they’ve also reduced the need for synthetic fertilizers.

NAFB TRADE TALK INTERVIEW: Southwest Iowa farmer Mark Peterson