Anew growing season means many farmers may be implementing new practices into their operations. When it comes to making those switches it’s important to know some of the possible side effects.

With many farmers moving toward new conservation practices to help the health of their soil, Michael Henderson, an NRCS resource conservationist, said some may need more planning than others.

At one time, tillage was affectionately described as “dragging pieces of rusty metal across the field.”

Of course, it was always much more than that, with tillage options that included various weighted frames, a selection of discs and shanks, spring-loaded ground engagement for adjustable down pressures, a seemingly endless variety of chisel points and sweeps and much more.

There are dollars available to help farmers establish conservation practices, but there is also plenty of demand for those dollars. Planning ahead can be important.

“For most of these programs there’s a waiting list,” says Rick Robinson, environmental policy advisor for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

BROOKFIELD, Mo. — For Matt and Kate Lambert, cover crops initially were a way to boost their cattle operation as they were getting started with the family farm in Linn County, Missouri.

“The first goal was to get more acres for cattle to graze,” Matt says.

CENTERVILLE, Iowa — Randy Eddy bucked the trend of converting pasture to crop ground a few years ago. Instead, he converted marginal crop ground into more pasture acres.

“That was something we felt strongly about,” Eddy says. “It was the best decision for us.”

WEST SALEM, Ill. — Matthew Lynch may not farm the best soil in Illinois. But he’s doing what he can to preserve it.

He is an active participant in conservation practices that he said he hopes will keep his land productive for decades to come.

RICHARDS, Mo. — Nathan Forkner started using cover crops to help his soil retain moisture. Now, he relies on them to keep his farm productive and profitable.

After three consecutive droughts in west central Missouri in the early 2000s, Forkner was ready to turn the tide. He wanted to protect his soil against the negative impulses of Mother Nature. Cover crops seemed to be the answer.

Farmers across the Midwest have in many cases accepted that cover crops are beneficial, helping to keep soil from eroding and reducing nutrient runoff. What isn’t as clear is the financial benefit or loss.

“When you get into the economics it gets more challenging,” says Mark Licht, an Extension crop specialist at Iowa State University.