In North Dakota, the Bartholomay family has become a beacon for sustainable agriculture through their innovative use of cover crops. Operating on sandy terrain in Sheldon, Keith and Karl Bartholomay manage an expansive agricultural enterprise that includes 4,000 acres of cropland and grassland alongside 280 cow-calf pairs. Their efforts to combat soil erosion and enhance soil health have earned them recognition, most notably the 2023 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award. This accolade honors their dedication to building systems that integrate conservation practices into both crop and livestock management. By experimenting with various cover crops over decades, they have developed a flexible approach tailored to their unique environmental conditions.
The Bartholomays' journey with cover crops began in the 1980s when they sought solutions to prevent soil erosion. Initially practicing conventional tillage, they introduced cereal rye as a protective measure during fall and winter months. Transitioning to no-till farming in 2004 marked a turning point, allowing them to explore more species and refine their strategies. After harvesting spring wheat, they incorporated radishes, turnips, and rapeseed into their mixes before shifting to kale for its taller growth and extended green period. They also added oats or winter rye to boost carbon input into the soil.
Utilizing cereal rye remains central to their operations. Post-soybean harvest, they plant single-species cereal rye, which provides grazing opportunities in the following spring before being terminated for strip-tilled corn. Innovations like interseeding rye into standing corn using a custom-built machine further optimize their methods. Additionally, triticale complements their portfolio due to its superior grazing qualities and ease of termination compared to rye.
When wet weather disrupts planting schedules, the Bartholomays embrace full-season multispecies cover crops. These mixes include corn, soybeans, sunflowers, radishes, kale, turnips, wheat, oats, millet, and sorghum sudangrass, selected for affordability and resilience under snow. Such diverse plantings support late-fall and winter cattle grazing while enhancing soil health.
Evidence of success is palpable despite challenges in quantifying benefits. Improved organic matter and increased biological activity underscore progress in their delta soils. Economically, the system's resilience manifests through consistent yields and reduced crop failures. Stephanie McLain from Minnesota NRCS encourages newcomers to start small, selecting reliable species like cereal rye and adapting based on moisture conditions. Balancing nitrogen needs becomes crucial when transitioning to cover crop-integrated systems.
Through perseverance and adaptability, the Bartholomays exemplify how integrating cover crops can transform agricultural practices sustainably. Their story highlights the importance of localized knowledge exchange and continuous learning in advancing soil conservation efforts across varying landscapes.