A series of cover crop meetings starts February 23 and will move to other areas of the state in coming weeks. You are most welcome to attend the event and learn more about how cover crops can help toward better water quality, which is the goal of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

COVER CROPS IN IOWA: Spring management of cover crops is the topic for 8 upcoming meetings at various locations in Iowa. Led by specialists from ISU, the workshops will discuss cover crop termination, species selection and herbicide considerations, among other topics.

“Cover crops continue to grow in popularity in Iowa due to the many benefits they provide,” says Liz Juchems of Iowa Learning Farms, the organization that is sponsoring the workshops. “Such benefits include reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter, and reduced soil erosion. Fall 2015 was a good season for cover crop establishment and growth, with adequate moisture and growing temperatures. Great fall growth helped protect the soil during the heavy rain events, but could present challenges this spring if farmers are not prepared with a termination plan and equipment adjustments.”

Cover crop spring management workshop Feb. 23 in Ventura
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group, will host a cover crop workshop on Tuesday, February 23, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Ventura Community Center. The event is free, open to the public, and includes a complimentary meal.

Cover crops continue to grow in popularity in Iowa due to the many benefits they provide. Such benefits include reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter, and reduced soil erosion. Fall 2015 was a good season for cover crop establishment and growth, with adequate moisture and growing temperatures.  Great fall growth helped protect the soil during the heavy rain events, but could present challenges this spring if farmers are not prepared with a termination plan and equipment adjustments.

To help producers prepare for spring management Carl Pederson, ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering specialist will share his experiences managing cover crops on both large and small scale trial plots around the state. Meghan Filbert, Practical Farmers of Iowa livestock coordinator, will discuss cover crop variety trial results and species selection. ISU Extension field agronomist, Angie Rieck-Hinz will cover herbicide recommendations for termination and establishment and lead a discussion among attendees to answer questions from new and experienced cover crop users.

The workshop will take place at the Ventura Community Center, 4 North Weimer Street, Ventura, IA  50482. A complimentary meal prepared by Congregate Meals will be served at 12:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 1:00 p.m. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email [email protected]. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website at extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.

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Cover crop spring management workshop Feb. 24 near Sutherland
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group, will host a cover crop workshop on Wednesday, February 24, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Iowa State University (ISU) Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm. Event is free, open to public and includes a complimentary meal.

To help producers prepare for spring management Carl Pederson, ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering specialist will share his experiences managing cover crops on both large and small scale trial plots around the state. Meghan Filbert, Practical Farmers of Iowa livestock coordinator, will discuss cover crop variety trial results and species selection. ISU Extension field agronomist Joel DeJong will cover herbicide recommendations for termination and establishment and lead a discussion among attendees to answer questions from new and experienced cover crop users.

The workshop will take place at the ISU Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm, 6320 500th Street Sutherland, Iowa 51058. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email [email protected]. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website at extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.

Cover crop spring management workshop Feb. 25 in Waterloo
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group, will host a cover crop workshop on Thursday, February 25, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Hawkeye Community College. The event is free, open to the public, and includes a complimentary meal.

To help producers prepare for spring management Carl Pederson, ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering specialist will share his experiences managing cover crops on both large and small scale trial plots around the state. Mark Hanna, ISU Extension ag engineer, will discuss equipment settings for planting into cover crops. Sarah Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa Midwest cover crops research coordinator, will share cover crop variety trial results and lead a discussion among attendees to answer questions from new and experienced cover crop users.

The workshop will take place at Hawkeye Community College, Tama Hall Room 102, 1501 E Orange Rd, Waterloo, Iowa 50701. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email [email protected]. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website at extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.

Cover crop spring management workshop March 1 near Iowa City
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Cover Crop Working Group and Rapid Creek Watershed Project, will host a cover crop workshop on Tuesday, March 1, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at The Celebration Farm near Iowa City. The event is free, open to the public, and includes a complimentary meal.

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To help producers prepare for spring management Mark Hanna, ISU Extension ag engineer, will discuss equipment settings for planting into cover crops. Sarah Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa Midwest cover crops research coordinator, will share cover crop variety trial results and lead a discussion among attendees to answer questions from new and experienced cover crop users. Tom Kaspar, plant physiologist at the USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Laboratory, will highlight cover crop effects on soil health and spring termination considerations.

The workshop will take place at The Celebration Farm, Timber Frame Barn, 4696 Robin Woods Lane NE, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 and the complimentary meal will be prepared by Kalona Kountry Katering. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email [email protected]. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.

Cover crop management workshop March 2 in Oskaloosa
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group, will host a cover crop workshop on Wednesday, March 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mahaska County Extension Office in Oskaloosa. The event is free, is open to the public and includes a complimentary meal.

To help producers prepare for spring management Mark Hanna, ISU Extension ag engineer, will discuss equipment settings for planting into cover crops. Stefan Gailans, Practical Farmers of Iowa research scientist and cooperators’ program manager, will discuss cover crop variety trial results and species selection. Rebecca Vittetoe, ISU Extension field agronomist, will discuss herbicide considerations for establishment and grazing, as well as addressing frequently asked questions.

The workshop will take place at Mahaska County Extension Office, 212 North I St., Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577; the meal will be prepared by Grate Expectations. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email [email protected].

Cover crop management workshop March 3 near Lewis
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group, will host a cover crop workshop Thursday, March 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Armstrong Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm near Lewis. The event is free, open to the public and includes a complimentary meal.

To help producers prepare for spring management Carl Pederson, ISU Ag and Biosystems Engineering specialist will share his experiences managing cover crops on both large and small scale trial plots around the state. Stefan Gailans, Practical Farmers of Iowa research scientist and cooperators’ program manager, will discuss cover crop variety trial results and species selection. Tom Kaspar, plant physiologist at the USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Lab in Ames, will highlight cover crop effects on soil health and spring termination considerations.

The workshop will take place at Armstrong Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm 53020 Hitchcock Avenue, Lewis, Iowa 51544. Complimentary meal will be prepared by The Downtowner. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email [email protected]. For information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.