202 W. Main St.
Laurens
IA 50554
New to cover cropping? Join us!
This event will give a brief introduction about the benefits and challenges of cover cropping. On average, the use of cover crops such as winter rye can reduce nitrogen loss by 31 percent and phosphorus loss by 29 percent. Other important benefits for farmers include improved weed control, a source of forage for cattle producers, and improved soil health. With long-term use, most farmers observe soil health changes such as improved water infiltration, increased soil organic matter, increased water retention capacity and improved resilience to more dramatic seasonal climate events.
It will also provide information about crop insurance incentives that are available to cover-cropping farmers in Iowa. This event is made possible by the Iowa Farmers Union, Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Soil Health Partnership, the Iowa Seed Association, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Clean Water Initiative, Iowa Corn, Iowa Learning Farms, Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA).
For directions to the event please click here.
The schedule for the event is as follows:
12:00 pm Lunch served at West Iowa Bank
12:30 pm “Why I use cover crops” Dick Lund, host farmer
12:45 pm Field Visit Dick Lund Farm
1:45 pm Presentation West Iowa Bank
Dick Lund, host farmer, will discuss “Why I use cover crops.” Then, there will be a field visit of the Dick Lund Farm. Presentations will then begin with “Crop Insurance Program Update” from Matt Lechtenberg. Matt is the Water Quality Initiative Coordinator at the Iowa Department of Land and Stewardship. For more information about Matt, who serves on IAWA’s Advisory Council, please visit here. Next, Theo Gunther from the Iowa Soybean Association will discuss “Water Quality and Cover Crops.” The last presenter is a representative from Iowa Learning Farms, who will discuss “Earthworms and Cover Crops.”
After presentations, there will be a cover crop management farmer panel. Please register for the field day here.