Cover crop field day series will start at the end of March

For the second year, Practical Farmers of Iowa has planned a series of spring field days focused on cover crop issues in grazing and row crop systems. Farmers and community members are invited to see cover crops in action on working farms around Iowa and learn about cover crop basics as well as practices used to maximize the financial return from cover crops.

All field days in the series run from noon to 3 p.m. and are free and open to everyone. Each field day starts with a complimentary lunch. RSVPs are requested for the meal to Debra Boekholder at 515-232-5661 or [email protected].

Many events include stops at multiple farms and locations. Specific details about each field day will be announced closer to the date. Host details and locations—along with a map of events—are also available at practicalfarmers.org. Events in the series will include:

March 27—“Cover Crops for Corn and Soybeans” in Oskaloosa and hosted by Mike Jackson;

March 28—“Cover Crops for Corn and Soybeans” in Clarion and Belmond, hosted by Josh Nelson and Austin Charlson;

March 29—“Cover Crops for Corn and Soybeans” in Story City and hosted by Clark Thompson;

April 3—“Grazing Cover Crops” in Jefferson and hosted by Bill Frederick;

April 4—“Cover Crops for Corn and Soybeans” in Postville and hosted by Don Elsbernd; and

April 5—“Grazing Cover Crops” in Cumberland and Atlantic, hosted by Zak Kennedy.

The row crop-focused field days will cover topics ranging from cover crop species selection, planter set-up and herbicide plans for cover crops to management in different kinds of soil and tillage systems, among others.

The grazing-focused field days will explore cover crop mixes and rates, fall and spring grazing management, soil health, spring termination and the grazing potential of varied fall planting dates, among others.

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2018 spring cover crop field days are supported by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Pepsi and Unilever.