Tom farms around 350 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat in the Black Earth Creek watershed. He’s a long-time no-till farmer, and has been incorporating cover crops into his cropping system for over ten years. He attributes his innovative thinking to his dad Don, who started no-till farming over 40 years ago. Tom has continued the no-till tradition and expanded it to the low-lying acres he farms along Black Earth Creek.
In more recent years, Tom became interested in soil health and experimented with different cover crops to find what works best on his farm. He is constantly striving to improve his soils while keeping a close check on the economics. Tom’s put a lot of thought and time into modifying his equipment to ensure it works with his system. Tom is interested in research around nutrient stratification and how cover crops effect nutrient availability. He also plans to try out different ways of terminating cover crops, including crimping in tandem with herbicides.
Ripp-Vale Farms operates exclusively as a cash grain business but has a longstanding history with livestock. It functioned as a dairy farm until the 1980s, after which it transitioned to a hog and grain operation until late 2023, when the final shipment of hogs departed from the farm. Presently, Tom manages the operation independently, with assistance from his son during the planting and harvest seasons. Additionally, Tom runs a mechanic shop where he provides repair services to local farmers.
The Ripp family initiated no-till practices prior to the 1980s by planting no-till into alfalfa and soybean stubble. In the early 2000s, they began planting soybeans into corn stalks and, over a decade ago, transitioned to a full no-till operation. This approach has not only served as a vital tool for soil protection but has also played a significant role in enhancing soil health. During this transition to 100% no-till, they also began to incorporate cover crops into their rotation.
For Tom, it was a logical step to introduce a cover crop after wheat harvest. The cover crop proved effective in suppressing weeds in fallow wheat fields during the fall. Subsequently, Tom expanded his strategy to include multiple cover crop species following wheat. Additionally, he plants winter rye on as many acres as possible in the fall after both soybean and corn grain harvests.
As Tom's grandpa used to say "You've got to take care of the land, they don't make more land". This commitment to conservation endures two generations later at Ripp-Vale Farm.
By implementing a no-till farming approach alongside cover crops, Tom has effectively enhanced the management of his low-lying acres. The cover crops contribute to the removal of excess moisture from the fields during the spring, while the increased organic matter has gradually improved the fields' carrying capacity.
With enhanced soil health, Tom observes that his soil is cycling nutrients more efficiently, is more manageable at planting time, and aids in the protection of the land. He also appreciates the additional challenge, which adds a fun factor back into farming.
Tom recommends starting with 10 to 20 acres of cover crops and gradually expanding as you build confidence in your cover cropping system. A great starting point is to incorporate cover crops following wheat. For those who do not grow wheat, planting winter rye after corn in early harvested fields can serve as an excellent alternative, particularly if soybeans are planned for the following spring.
Check out the Dane Demo Farm podcast "No-till Farming and Cover Crops with Tom Ripp"
