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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