From seeding to innovative methods to incorporate cover crops to grazing options, the Central Nebraska Cover Crops Conference offers the latest information to help Nebraska growers profitably incorporate cover crops into their operation. The event will begin with doughnuts at 9 a.m. Thursday, February 28 in Central City. It will be at the Merrick County Youth and Agriculture Education Center, 1784 Fairgrounds Road. Among the speakers are Paul Jasa, extension engineer; Ray Ward of Ward Laboratories, Inc.; and Mary Drewnoski, extension beef systems specialist.

Topics on the educational program, sponsored by University of Nebraska Extension, will include:

• an overview of cover crops and nutrient cycling,
• benefits of cover crops for weed control,
• crop water use considerations,
• how would growing shorter season corn/beans, so cover crops can be planted earlier, affect grain yield?,
• seeding methods for cover crops,
• grazing high quality cover crops, and a
• farmer panel.

“The mission of the event is to bring cutting edge ideas and technology through educational speakers to help farmers make the best decisions about cover crops,” said Steve Melvin, Nebraska Extension cropping systems educator and event coordinator.

The registration fee, payable at the door, is $10. Exhibitor space is still available for anyone wanting a booth to promote his or her business.

For more information contact Melvin at (308) 946-3843 or check the Extension website at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/merrick/.