Exploring the Environmental and Economic Opportunities and Challenges of Cover Crops webinar, May 7

If your ground is still too wet to plant, there’s a webinar that you might be interested in on cover crops taking place at 2 p.m. on May 7.

Cover crops are becoming an important tool in the toolbox for many farmers. Farmers that have not used cover crops in the past are becoming more interested in learning about them. The cover crops team at Michigan State University Extension will have several opportunities for farmers to learn more about cover crops this season through field days and workshops.

Last year (2012), certain species of cover crops such as cereal rye seed became extremely hard to find later in the season (September-November). It is important if you’re going to use cover crops to plan ahead. If you know you are going to plant cereal rye this season, my advice is to contract your seed as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, May 7, Ryan Stockwell, agricultural program manager for the National Wildlife Federation, and Sam Wortman, University of Illinois, will present a webinar on cover crops. This 2 p.m. EST webinar is sponsored by the USDA NRCS Central National Technology Support Center.

The Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) has been working closely with the National Wildlife Federation for several years to promote adoption of cover crop practices throughout the Midwest. Stockwell has participated in many of our annual meetings. This webinar provides farmers and landowners the opportunity to learn about how cover crops can help the environment while providing economic opportunities for farmers. Also being discussed are the challenges and growing cover crops.

Register now for this informational webinar.

I know it seems early to be planning for your cover crop seedings this year. In my opinion, it’s never too early to plan for incorporating cover crops into your farming system.

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