Eldora Cover Crop Workshop March 9


February 14, 2017, 9:45 am | Elizabeth Ripley

AMES, Iowa— Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a cover crop workshop Thursday, March 9, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The workshop is free, open to the public and includes a complimentary lunch.

The many benefits of cover crops – reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter and reduced soil erosion – continue to make them a popular management choice. Fall 2016 was good season for cover crop establishment and growth, with adequate moisture and warm growing temperatures. Great fall growth can help protect the soil during the heavy rain events, and equipped with a good termination plan and equipment adjustments, farmers can minimize any potential yield impacts.

At the beginning of the workshop, Mark Licht, assistant professor of agronomy, will invite questions and concerns from the participants. For the remainder of the workshop, he will address the topics and questions raised by the participating farmers and landowners. Licht will also be prepared to discuss herbicide recommendations for termination and establishment, planter settings to handle higher amounts of biomass, cover crop seed selection, impacts on crop yields and soil health.

The workshop will take place in the Fellowship Hall at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1105 Washington St, Eldora, IA 50627. A complimentary meal by Rite on 175 will be served at 12:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 1 p.m. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.

For details on the workshop, and for more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit: www.iowalearningfarms.org.

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