Tapping into Production Potential:
In many parts of the country, there’s a reservoir of water and nutrients below our cropland’s “legacy plowpan.” But that dense layer of soil virtually locks out most cash crops from reaching those resources.

So how can farmers tap into that reservoir? Traditionally, plowing deeper was the answer. But plowing is only a temporary fix that requires bigger tractors, more fuel, more time and serves to exacerbate the plowpan problem over time.

Another solution is to tap into nature. Dr. Ray Weil, author of the 15th edition of The Nature and Property of Soils, explains how cover crops can help farmers naturally reach a treasure trove of production resources below the top few inches of soil in this second of a three part video series. It’s science you can really dig!