Session Details: Successfully Planting into Cover Crops | Jan. 21 | 9-10 a.m.

Jacob Bolson lives with his wife, Lindsay, and their four children on an acreage outside of Hubbard, Iowa. 

Mike Crow farms in Blairstown, IA where he grows corn, soybeans, and plants green into rye covers.

Jacob: “I want attendees to learn that there is a broad community of people and diverse resources out there, so they should never feel like they are alone in getting started with cover crops.” 

Mike: “Start small and follow through.”

Jacob: “I’m looking forward to seeing the positive energy that PFI is generating with the broader Iowa community reflected at this year's conference.” 

Mike: “I am looking forward to all the topics that are being covered and to sit back and learn what I can. There are a lot of sessions!”

Re-visit these farmers' stories from 2022 as we look forward to another year of putting Midwest cover croppers in the spotlight!

If you want to share your story in 2023, please contact: taylor.hintch@practicalfarmers.org 

Don’t forget PFI will be holding an organic no-till short course ahead of the conference with great speakers from across the Midwest! The short course will be held from 1:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 and from 8-11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20.

 

PFI Cooperator Emery Davis wanted help with making a decision on whether or not to purchase soybeans with seed treatments in the future.

He compared soybeans grown from seed treated with fungicides and a neonicotinoid with soybeans grown from untreated seed. In a randomized-replicated trial, he found yields were statistically similar, and untreated soybeans improved net returns by $30/ac.

PFI Cooperator Dick Sloan compared seeds treated with fungicide only; fungicide and insecticide; and a humic acid product which did not include fungicide or insecticide.

Dick found that seed treatment had no statistical effect on corn yield; average yield across all treatments was 214 bu/ac.

The annual conference is nearly here! Check out some of the cover-cropper sessions and register below:

Don’t Farm Naked! PFI’s inaugural Midwest Covers & Grains Conference will be held at the Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 2, 2023! 

Farminars are Practical Farmers’ version of a webinar – a farmer-led webinar! These 90-minute, online presentations are FREE for everyone, and we encourage attendees to come with questions for the chat box.

 

Farminars are held Tuesdays, Noon-1:30 p.m. Central Time, from January to March.

Field crops feature Feb. 7: “Thinking Through Cover Crops: How to Set Goals, Design Optimal Seed Mixes and Minimize Costs” – Thomas Björkman

Cover crop mixes can help farmers add diversity or achieve specific on-farm goals like cover crop grazing, weed control or improved soil fertility.

This farminar will discuss how to tailor your summer or fall cover crop mix and match your on-farm goals while keeping costs in check.

Jan 26-28: Conference - OGRAIN Conference

Jan 11: Webinar- New And Emerging Cover Crops Winter Series: Camelina

Want to host a cover crop meet up? Are you planning or hosting a cover crop event? Contact taylor.hintch@practicalfarmers.org to plan something or to promote your event.

Send us your cover crop poll ideas! We want to know what YOU want to know. Reply to this email with your ideas for the next poll.

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