October 2026 Issue

Contents

October 2026 • Issue #664

Photo: TOC photo (Courtesy of Dave Skornia) — A newly regenerated hillside cover crop being mowed for the first time at Dave Skornia’s farm in northern Michigan. Note the rich color of this blend, demonstrating how the plants have taken up the recently introduced inputs to this field. Read more on page 22.

FEATURES 

Rye and Shine
Cereal rye terminated at beer-can height gives northern corn growers a dependable way to capture sunlight, build biomass, and improve soil health between cash crops
JOE AILTS

Regenerating the Hard Acres
Cover crops, mowing, targeted interventions, and grazing can help regenerate even steep or neglected land
DAVE SKORNIA

Special Soil
Brown’s Ranch is in its first year of all perennials — and it is thriving
ANNELIESE ABBOTT

From Philosophy to Function
We should evaluate agricultural systems on soil health and crop nutrient density — not ideology
JON STIKA

Lactating Steers?!?
Researchers found lactation in nearly 20 percent of finished steers; is the cause extreme adiposity, hormonal implants, mammary stimulation — or an interaction agriculture hasn’t studied yet?
MOLLIE ENGELHART

DEPARTMENTS

VIEW FROM THE COUNTRY
Monthly musings from Acres U.S.A.’s editor

OPINION
Udderly Misaligned
Organic dairy is working with genetics and infrastructure optimized for the conventional production model; targeted investment could unlock its potential
BY CHARLES BENBROOK

ECO-UPDATE
News in brief on developments in agronomic science

REGEN AGRONOMY
In the Fungal Midwinter
Fungi spend their winters humifying the soil and producing nutrients for plants to use in the spring — yet growers often ignore this crucial time period
BY JOHN KEMPF

INTERVIEW
Old Grain, New Game
After four decades of organic farming and work with ancient wheat, Bob Quinn argues that agriculture should put soil health, nutrition, research, and rural prosperity ahead of yield alone

REVIEWS

MARKETPLACE

CLASSIFIEDS

ECO-MEETINGS

ECO-GRAPHIC