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KJJP-FM 105.7 is currently operating at very reduced power and signal range using a back-up transmitter. This is because of complicated problems with its very old primary transmitter. Local engineers are currently working on that transmitter and consulting with the manufacturer to diagnose and fix the problems. We apologize for this disruption and service as we work as quickly as possible to restore KJPFM to full power. In the mean time you can always stream either the HPPR mix service or HPPR connect service using the player above or the HPPR app.

HPPR Environment

Soil Health: Kansas Producer Finds Cover Crops Provide Forage and Improve Soil

High Plains Public Radio

Published August 5, 2014 at 12:01 AM CDT

The Thompson Farm and Ranch straddles the Kansas-Nebraska line. Drought in this region is entering its fourth year. The Thompson family uses no-till practices to grow dryland wheat and corn and also run cows.

They went no-till in 2000 and several years ago started using cover crops, instead of continuing to leave a field fallow. The first cover crop surpassed their expectations — providing forage for cattle and improving the soil.

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HPPR Environment soil health no till cover crops no-till farming

HPPR News

Cover crops and no-till aren't just good for soil — they also make farmers more money, study says

Eva Tesfaye

Much of the research on regenerative farming practices, such as no-till or cover crops, has looked at the benefits to the environment and the soil. Now a new study finds these farming practices also have economic benefits for farmers.
HPPR News

Midwest farmers tripled use of cover crops, but it's still just a small fraction of acres

Jonathan Ahl

A new study shows a threefold increase in Midwest farm acres using the offseason crops to help protect the soil and reduce runoff, but it still makes up less than 8% of all farmland.
HPPR News

Carbon is agriculture’s latest money-maker. But is it enough to combat climate change?

Dana Cronin

Agriculture companies are increasingly paying farmers to capture carbon. But some say the newly budding carbon marketplace isn’t enough to fight climate change.
HPPR News

New effort aims to help Midwest farmers plant cover crops on a half a million acres

Katie Peikes

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million dollars in grants to plant cover crops in six Midwestern states, including Kansas and Iowa. The funding comes as demand for state and federal incentive programs for cover crops often outpaces available funding.
HPPR News

The Midwest has lost 57 billion metric tons of topsoil over the last 160 years, new study finds

Katie Peikes

Farmers till their land to prepare soil for planting, but a new study published in the journal “Earth’s Future” found topsoil in the Midwest is eroding on average nearly 2 millimeters per year.