Brian Hora
The Horas started using no-till farming in the ’70s but it wasn’t until cover crops were implemented in 2015 that drastic changes were seen. The use of cover crops has allowed the Horas to improve their soil health and reduce their chemical inputs while maintaining their yields.
Regenerative ag practices maintained Hora’s yields and cut fertilizer needs by 40%.
Implementing cover crops resulted in:
Lowered Inputs
40% less/acre
220 160 units/acre Nitrogen
66 40 units/acre Potassium
126 40 units/acre Phosphorus
Lower Chemical Costs
$122 to $76/acre
Corn
$3 $0/acre for Insecticide
$39 $23/acre for Herbicide
$12 $12/acre for Fungicide
Beans
$3 $0/acre for Insecticide
$39 $23/acre for Herbicide
$12 $12/acre for Fungicide
Before Cover Crops (bu/acre)
| Year | Hora Avg | County* Avg | Diff. |
| 13-15 | 214 | 181 | +33 |
After Cover Crops (bu/acre)
| Year | Hora Avg | County* Avg | Diff. |
| 2016 | 235 | 208 | +27 |
| 2017 | 209 | 220 | -11 |
| 2018 | 233 | 214 | +19 |
| 2019 | 210 | 178 | +32 |
| 2020 | 192 | 186 | +6 |
*Washington County, Iowa
Before Cover Crops (bu/acre)
| Year | Hora Avg | County* Avg | Diff. |
| 13-15 | 57 | 49 | +8 |
After Cover Crops (bu/acre)
| Year | Hora Avg | County* Avg | Diff. |
| 2016 | 64 | 55 | +9 |
| 2017 | 66 | 61 | +5 |
| 2018 | 62 | 61 | +1 |
| 2019 | 63 | 54 | +9 |
| 2020 | 60 | 52 | +8 |
*Washington County, Iowa
Horas sequestered 3 tons of carbon per acre
By using cover crops and not turning the soil, the Horas are able to keep carbon in the ground and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reduce greenhouse gas levels and optimize soil health gains.
1.43% in organic matter
3.6% 5.03%
22.09ppm in WEOC*
237.73ppm 259.82ppm
From 2015-2020, before and after cover crop implementation. *Water Extractable Organic Carbon Microbe Food
