For example, some crops may elicit certain chemicals from their roots that are toxic to other plants (i.e. There are many reasons for positive and negative synergies between plant species. However, just as certain crops can be friendly companions, some plant species can be incompatible foes, meaning their growth is hindered by one another. The agronomy of a given crop- including its root system type, rooting depth, and root exudates vegetative growth habits nutrient requirements, and more - all inform the compatibility of two plant species. Growers operating at a small scale find many benefits from companion planting, or strategically planting certain plant species side-by-side. While some farmers plant cover crops across entire fields and terminate the crop prior to planting their main crop, others opt to plant cover crop in alleys between their main crop rows, maintaining between-row plantings as perennial polycultures that can be grazed or mowed.įarmers often plant diverse cover crop mixtures of 10+ plant species to maximize the range of benefits. Of course, there are many ways to cover crop. Some farms graze animals on cover crop, which allows for enhanced nutrient cycling and the diversification of farm products.

And compatibility with the subsequent main cropįarmers often plant diverse cover crop mixtures of 10+ plant species to maximize the range of benefits, which include replenishing nutrients, soil fertility, and organic matter improving soil structure attracting pollinators and pest predators reducing soil erosion and runoff, and weed and disease suppression.

Soil nutrient scavenging or nitrogen fixation abilities.

Plant species are selected based on myriad growth factors: Cover cropping is the planting of non-commercial crops – often in diverse mixtures of carefully curated plant species – into otherwise fallow fields, with the purpose of increasing soil quality and reducing a farm’s environmental impact.Īlthough farmers can technically cover crop with a single crop, farmers typically employ diverse species mixtures to maximize the range of benefits observed. Cover croppingĬover cropping is among the most popular types of polycultures on modern farms. Several examples of polyculture systems are described below. That being said, some innovative growers have leveraged new technologies and strategies to integrate polyculture at scale - to great benefit for both their farms and surrounding ecosystems. The motivations behind polyculture plantings include enhancing the sustainability of one’s operation, diversifying farm revenue streams, and even increasing ecosystem services such as pollination, biological pest control, and nutrient cycling.ĭespite its benefits, many large-scale growers tend to avoid polyculture farming, instead of planting monocultures (or large swaths of a single crop) to allow for ease of cultivation and harvesting. Defined as the simultaneous production of multiple plant species on the same piece of land, polyculture farming is a common practice throughout the world but can vary greatly in both size and scope, ranging from small polyculture gardens to large-scale agroforestry operations. Polyculture is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Managing Monoculture and Polycultures With AGRIVI.Integrating Polyculture and Monoculture Through Technology.A hard snow in winter will require you to hook up the snow plows to get out of the lot.įarming USA 2 is the sequel to the popular Farming USA, but with 4 times the farming size!Ĭontrol over 100 different vehicles and equipment while you expand your farming experience. Watch the weather as rain and sun affects the growth and harvest of crops! Too much rain and your fields become muddy.

Use the market to control cash-flow as you see real time fluctuations. On your off-time, head over to two logging forests where you can have a totally different experience as you cut down, haul and sell logs! Purchase the Hog Barn and raise up to 2,000 pigs! Take ownership of a Dairy Farm to raise dairy cows and sell milk.

Cattle can be raised by pasture (where you can breed your own cows with bulls) or feedlot (for faster growth). Play cross-platform multiplayer with your friends, lending them a hand on their farm.įeel the landscape as you roam in your tractor with realistic wheel physics! Grow and sell corn, wheat, barley, soybeans and hay. Plow, fertilize, plant and harvest your own crops on 9 different fields across 250 acres.

Farming usa 2 drills