Iowa farmers participating in cost-share programs for seeding cover crops now have two additional weeks statewide to plant their winter-hardy cereal rye cover and still qualify for the financial assistance.

The announcement was made October 26 by Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Kurt Simon, state conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). They made the decision because of the delayed 2017 corn and soybean harvest, due to a wet fall in Iowa.

The decision to extend the seeding deadline followed the release of the latest weekly USDA crop progress survey. It showed this year’s corn and soybean harvest is running two weeks behind normal in Iowa. As of Oct. 22, the statewide survey showed only 61% of Iowa’s soybeans and 23% of the corn had been harvested.

More covers planted
“The crop report indicated both corn and soybean harvests are running behind the five-year average,” says Naig. “Extending the deadline an additional two weeks will allow more farmers to get a cereal rye cover crop planted, benefitting water quality.”

Simon adds, “Late-seeded cereal rye provided adequate spring growth for erosion control in the past when allowed to grow to at least 8 inches tall before termination.”

The revised cover crop seeding dates for cereal rye are:
• Zone 1 (northern Iowa) Nov. 4-18
• Zone 2 (central Iowa) Nov. 11-25
• Zone 3 (southern Iowa) Nov. 19 to Dec. 3

Guidance and research from Iowa State University has confirmed cover crops planted within these dates still have the potential to provide a substantial reduction in nutrient losses and soil erosion, says Simon.

The following rules and guidelines apply to cover crops planted during the extension period:

•  Seed cereal rye as soon as possible after harvest of the principal crop.

•  The cover crop will be no-till drilled into crop residue.

•  Allow the cover crop to grow until at least 8 inches before spring termination.

•  It is recommended the seeding rate of cereal rye be increased to 75 pounds pure live seed per acre to adjust for reduced tillering.

•  The extension does not apply to all federal programs. Contact your local NRCS office if you have questions.

Farmers approved for cost-share assistance who are still unable to plant cover crops should contact their local NRCS office.

Johnson is the public affairs specialist for NRCS in Iowa.