Upcoming Cover Crop Farm Webinars

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Check out these upcoming cover crop farm webinars from Practical Farmers of Iowa:
June 22nd, 11:00am – 12:30pm CDT – Cover Crops and Wildlife Habitat
July 20th, 11:00am – 12:30pm CDT – The Economics of Cover Crops

These two webinars will feature research supported by the National Wildlife Federation that demonstrates the wide range of benefits from planting cover crops. A diverse group of researchers will present the results of their projects, co-hosted by NWF and Practical Farmers of Iowa. Cover Crops and Wildlife Habitat

Monday, June 22nd 11:00am – 12:30pm CDT

1. Effect of Diverse Cover Crops on Insects and Wildlife – Ray Wright, University of Missouri

2. Impact of Cover Crops on Bird, Insect and Amphibian Diversity – Robert Brodman, St. Joseph’s College; Daniel Perkins, Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District

The Economics of Cover Crops

Monday, July 20th 11:00am – 12:30pm CDT

1. Quantifying Nitrogen Scavenging – Ajay Nair, Iowa State University

2. Economic Impact of Cover Crop Seed Sales – Fred Lutzi, Western Illinois University

3. Using Simple Field Tests for Soil Quality to Promote Cover Crops and Management Practices – Chad Watts, CTIC

NWF awarded grants to researchers from Iowa State University and Western Illinois University to assess and interpret the economic impacts of using cover crops such as reduced input costs at the farmer level to job creation at the economy-wide level. Researchers from University of Missouri and St. Joseph’s College explored the wildlife habitat values of cover crops such as nesting numbers and success, incidence of trap habitat, forage ability and pollinator support.

“We know about the water quality benefits of cover crops, reducing field nutrient runoff by up to 90 percent,” said Ryan Stockwell, Senior Agriculture Program Manager for NWF. “However, one area lacking a solid body of knowledge is the upside for wildlife like the nesting and foraging benefits of cover crops. We also have a lot to learn about the positive economic domino effects that happen when more farmers use cover crops.”

Both webinars are free and open to the public. —Click here to participate in this live farminar— then click “Join In”, and select “Enter as a Guest” on Monday, June 22nd at 11:00am CDT. Both webinars will be recorded, and archived on the PFI website.