New SARE Resource Examines Economics of Cover Crops in Row Crops July 16, 2019
A new publication from USDA Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE), Cover Crop Economics: Opportunities to Improve Your Bottom Line in Row Crops, looks at the economics of cover crops in corn and soybean rotations to help farmers answer that big question: When do cover crops pay?
Farmers Find Solutions Through Nebraska Soil Health Initiative July 11, 2019
How can we manage cropland to improve soil health? To test and encourage adoption of soil health practices, the Soil Health Demonstration Initiative was launched as a collaborative effort of growers, UNL and NRCS. Now a network of farm research sites is providing valuable information from in-field studies.
Cover Crop Use and Implications for Cropland Lease Arrangements in 2019 July 8, 2019
Cover crops were planted on almost 750,000 acres in Nebraska in 2017, the last year of the USDA Ag Census. A recent Cornhusker Economics reports cover crop acreage by county as well as how to consider their short-term costs and potential long-term benefits when negotiating crop land leases.
NRCS Recommendations for Growing Corn as a Cover Crop June 28, 2019
Corn is considered a cover crop species in Nebraska and can be planted into prevented planting acres and can be grazed or harvested for forage. See these NRCS recommendations for meeting guidelines when using corn as a cover crop.
Check Herbicide Restrictions before Planting and Using Cover Crops June 28, 2019
Cover crops offer many benefits for prevented planting fields; however, including them in a rotation adds another layer of complexity, particularly when it comes to plant-back restrictions for previously applied herbicides. Here's what to check before selecting a cover crop species.
Deadline Extended to Apply for Funding to Plant Cover Crops on Flooded Cropland Acres June 28, 2019
NRCS announced today that it is offering a later EQIP sign-up for farmers in Nebraska who could not plant their crops because of flooded or wet fields. The deadline to apply is July 19, 2019.
Prevented Planting and Cover Crops June 21, 2019
This week when the USDA Risk Management Agency changed the deadline for grazing, cutting, or haying cover crops planted on prevented planting acres to Sept. 1, new options opened up for selecting cover crops to best meet the end use and to provide higher quality feed for cattle. Learn about what to consider when selecting cover crops and how your choices can affect prevented planting payments.
RMA Changes Haying, Grazing Deadline on Prevent Plant Acres Planted to Cover Crops June 20, 2019
Farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres will be permitted to hay, graze or chop those fields earlier than November this year, USDA announced today. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) adjusted the 2019 final haying and grazing date from November 1 to September 1 to help farmers who were prevented from planting because of flooding and excess rainfall this spring.