Many of you don’t farm, but you should care about this item anyway. That’s because the way farmers control runoff pollution affects what we pay to treat drinking water, whether the beach swimming areas are safe and whether our pets can safely drink river and lake water.  A new survey of more than 2,000 farmers by the American Seed Trade Association, reported Monday by WHO radio, showed more evidence that corn and soybean fields had higher yields when planted after a cover crop. The survey suggested that more farmers are willing to plant the soil-holding cover crops such as wheat and rye. And corn yields rose by 3.4 bushels per acre after using cover crops. Soybean yields were up 1.5 bushels per acre. Cover crops can help save water and soil, and increase organic matter.