Cover crops help protect soil on Zehr farm south of Shakespeare

Steve Zehr no-till plants a cover crop of oats into wheat stubble on his farm south of Shakespeare last week. Cover crops such as oats can help retain nutrients and protect soil from erosion caused by wind and heavy rain. Two days after this photo was taken, a welcome rainfall helped provide the moisture needed for the oats to germinate and establish fall cover. Gary West photo

By Gary West

After decades of raising hogs and growing crops south of Shakespeare, Steve and Christina Zehr are beginning to find a little more time to enjoy life away from the farm.

The Zehrs farm on Line 33, known locally as Pork Street, where Steve Zehr took over the operation from his father, Mel Zehr, a gifted, natural-born mechanic like his brother, Irvin Zehr of Tavistock.

Steve Zehr was busy in the field last week, no-till planting oats into wheat stubble following the wheat and straw harvest.

The Zehrs use winter wheat as part of their crop rotation alongside corn and soybeans. As longtime hog farmers, they also make use of hog manure to provide nutrients for their crops.

Planting oats as a cover crop after wheat is another way the Zehrs and many other farmers are working to improve and protect their soil. Cover crops help retain nutrients while reducing soil erosion caused by strong winds and heavy rains.

After many years of the seven-day-a-week routine that comes with farming, Steve and Christina Zehr have decided to slow down a little. The couple recently purchased a cottage at Lion’s Head, giving them a place to escape the daily chores and enjoy some well-earned time at the lake.