More with less: South central Nebraska farmer uses soil health practices to reduce costs

Janelle Atyeo
Nov 21, 2025
Nov 21, 2025

1 of 2

A flowering cover crop with sweet peas, clover and other species grows between the corn rows at Uldrich Farms near Milligan, Neb. Jordan Uldrich uses cover crops to keep weed pressure low and provide his cattle herd with something to graze.

Submitted photo

Tristen and Jordan Uldrich

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Janelle Atyeo

Cover crops are doing some major work on the Jordan Uldrich farm in south central Nebraska.

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PPR Uldrich 5.jpg — Jordan Uldrich’s cattle munch pumpkins foraged from his cover crops last year.
Submitted photo

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PPR Uldrich 2.JPG — Jordan and Tristen Uldrich. Jordan farms with his dad and brother while Tristen is completing her master’s degree in special education at Doane University.
Submitted photo

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PPR Uldrich 3.PNG — A green mix of cover crops grows amongst the corn stubble on the Uldrich farm in south central Nebraska. Jordan Uldrich will serve as a Producer Progress Reporter for Midwest Messenger, giving updates from the farm over the coming months.
Submitted photo

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Jordan Uldrich 2.jpg — Jordan Uldrich stands by his combine. Simplifying his farming practices by reducing inputs, focusing on soil health and using older equipment has saved time and money for the south central Nebraska farmer.
Submitted photo by Kerry Hoffschnieder

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Jordan Uldrich 1.jpg — Jordan Uldrich combines soybeans. He was pleased to see that a dryland field of beans yielded well after a rye cover crop, even despite receiving little rain in September.
Submitted photo by Kerry Hoffschnieder

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Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.