Lincoln, Neb. — There are many benefits to utilizing cover crops, such as improved soil health and reduced erosion. It’s the details of how and what to do that can present challenges. The Nebraska Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference will provide information to growers who are just getting started with cover crops and to those who are already making cover crops part of their operation.
The conference will take place on Thursday, Feb. 13 at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Nebraska Extension Educator Keith Glewen says, “This year’s conference will focus on establishment of cover crops in corn and soybeans during the growing season. Interseeding in some manner is gaining interest throughout the Midwest. We will have ‘boots on the ground’ growers who will share specific information about their success and failures.”
Topics and presenters include:
- “Growing a Revolution: Finding the Right Fit with Cover Crops,” - Abbey Wick, North Dakota State University;
- “Farming With 2020 Vision in Mind,” Loran Steinlage, FLOLO Farms, West Union, Iowa;
- “Selling Seed in Nebraska,” Steve Knox, Director, Nebraska Crop Improvement Association;
- “Accelerating Soil Health Adoption by Quantifying Economic and Environmental Outcomes and Overcoming Barriers on Rented Lands,” Brian Brandt, Director of Ag Conservation Innovations, American Farmland Trust, Columbus, Ohio;
- “Review of Cover Crop Demonstrations in Central Platte NRD,” Dean Krull, Farmer/ UNL Research Technologist;
- “Understanding Soil Health, Measuring Success and Reducing Risk,” Aaron Hird, State Soil Health Specialist, Co-Presented with Noah Seim, Merrick County Farmer;
- “Thoughts from a 1st Year Inter-Seeder and Why You Should Give it a Try,” Jay Goertzen, Henderson, Neb. Farmer and Jennifer Rees, Nebraska Extension Educator;
- “Cover Crops by Helicopter: FAQ,”-Brent Wulf, Owner and Chief Pilot, Hexagon Helicopters Inc.;
- Cover Crop Panel - discussion with growers, landowners, and consultants.
Read more about the speakers and their experience with cover crops on the Cover Crops Conference website.
There is no fee to attend, but preregister by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at http://enrec.unl.edu/nebraska-cover-crop-conference to ensure resource materials are available and for meal planning purposes. Seating is limited. Additional conference information and map/directions also available on the website. Questions, call 402-624-8030 or email cdunbar2@unl.edu.
This year’s conference is sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the Nebraska Soybean Board, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services, Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, and USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.