This month’s Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon Sept. 18 will address the benefits of integrating perennial vegetation into underperforming parts of crop fields.

“Ever wonder if something more profitable, productive and environmentally friendly could be grown in the bare spots you see in fields? We did, too! And perennial plants checked all the boxes,” says Emily Heaton, an Iowa State University agronomy professor and plant scientist who is working on sustainable biomass production systems.

She will discuss how the use of perennial plants in underperforming parts of fields can have a positive impact on the farm economy, water quality and bioenergy feedstock production. When asked what she hopes the webinar participants who tune in to the discussion will take away from their viewing, Heaton says: “Perennial plants are to agriculture what exercise is to human health: a straightforward, consistently effective solution to a multitude of challenges.”

Raising forage or bioenergy crop

Growing a forage or a bioenergy crop instead of low-yielding corn or soybeans in these underperforming areas of fields can help make you more money on these acres. Plus, it’s better for soil conservation and water quality protection.

A certified crop adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) is available for those who can watch the live webinar. Information for submitting your CCA, CPAg, CPSS or CPSC number to earn the credit will be provided at the end of presentation.

To watch, go to iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars and click the link to join the webinar shortly before noon to download the Zoom software and log-in option.

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