Enhancing farming sustainability - ASTA's online seed guide

Apr 03, 2024

By Farms.com

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) introduces an online seed guide facilitating farmers' access to professional seed suppliers. This resource simplifies seed selection for environment, conservation, and cover crops, promoting sustainability in agriculture.

ASTA President Andy LaVigne stresses the significance of proactive planning in seed procurement. Professional seeds are meticulously processed and tested, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing weed presence, thereby supporting farmers' success and sustainability goals.

The guide, regularly updated with input from ASTA members, offers the latest information on locally sourced seeds. Survey findings suggest a rise in cover crop planting, driven by USDA initiatives. This underscores the guide's importance in advocating for sustainability and meeting the increasing demand for conservation resources.

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.