COVER CROP INITIATIVE

In 2018, the Farmer-Led Council recommended that cover crops be offered at no cost for strategic fields in the watershed that cover critical areas and provide the greatest benefits to local waters. Scott SWCD coordinates the aerial seeding of cover crops on enrolled acres and works with farmers to ensure compatible herbicides.  Interseeder is also available for free rental with this program if operators choose this seeding method vs. aerial application.  Many farmers signed up for the pilot round in fall of 2018 with a bump up in enrollment in 2019, and many more are anticipated to participate in 2020.

Funds are limited so sign up soon for 2020 enrollment. To find out if your field is eligible, contact Diann Korbel at the Scott SWCD at 952-492-5416.

Note that cover crops incentives are also available through the SWCD.  To receive updates on cover crop incentives, please email Diann at DKorbel@scottswcd.org.

What are Cover Crops?

Cover crops are quick-growing crops, such as winter rye, radishes, turnips, rape seed, cereal rye and clovers, which are planted during or between periods of regular crop production. Cover crops can help increase productivity and profitability, and help improve soil health and water quality in the watershed.

Why Cover Crops?

    Benefits to Farmers:

• Keeps soil on the field by helping prevent soil erosion from wind and water
• Builds soil organic matter
• Reduces soil compaction
• Suppresses weeds & attracts beneficial insects
• Provides nitrogen to the following cash crop
• Helps retain moisture
• Creates wildlife habitat for hunting and wildlife observation
• Produces overwinter forage for livestock

How Can I Learn More?

The Watershed District partners with Scott Soil & Water Conservation District to help with the Farmer-Led Council incentives.  Please contact Scott Schneider to learn more about successful cover crops in Scott County, how to take advantage of financial incentives available and create a cover crop plan for your operation:

Diann Korbel

DKorbel@scottswcd.org

(952) 492-5417

The Scott SWCD planted a cover crop test plot in Belle Plaine in 2018 as part of a series of cover crop test trials to experiment with cover crops and techniques that work well in Scott County. To learn more check out this great article about the project: Cover Crop Test Plots Planted in Scott County.

Learn from other farmers in the area and talk with them about their experiences with cover crops. Vern Wick, a dairy farmer in Jordan, planted cover crops for the first time in 2017 and has been pleased with the results he has seen so far. He has seen very little erosion on his cover cropped fields and notes that “planting cover crops makes sense for our land. Before we were destroying the soil, and now we are helping it out.” Not only that, but he saw no drop in yield.

Cover crops have been a win-win on his farm. Vern has advice for anyone considering cover crops: “Go to seminars, talk to other people who have tried it, get as much information as you can, then figure out how it can work for you.” Vern’s experience with cover crops was highlighted by the Scott Soil & Water Conservation District here.

Further Reading & Resources:

• Talking Cover Crops with Steve Trnka (local farmer with cover crops) – Rice Soil and Water Conservation District
• Managing Manure Nitrogen with a Cover Crop – U of M Extension
• Tips for Interseeding Cover Crops on Your Farm – La Crosse Seed
• To Feed the World Sustainably, Repair the Soil – Scientific American
• Building Soils for Better Crops – SARE
  • This excellent online resource in broken down into many sections (listed in the left sidebar on their page) covering a wide range of topics including a few selections listed below:
    • Organic Matter: What is it & Why is it Important? – SARE
    • How do you Build a High Quality, Healthy Soil? – SARE
    • Managing for High Quality Soils: Organic matter, Soil physical condition, Nutrient availability – SARE
    • Cover Crops – SARE
      • Includes sections on Benefits, Selection, Types, and Management of cover crops.