AMES, Iowa – Learn about the economics of cover crops during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, March 24 at noon.
Alejandro Plastina, associate professor in economics and extension economist at Iowa State University, will address the profitability of winter cover crops in Iowa from the producer’s perspective, based on agronomic experiments and surveys of farmers. Plastina will also present two decision tools that can be used to calculate farmers’ own expected net returns on cover crops.
The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the relative costs of nitrate leaching abatement through cover crops borne by farmers and taxpayers, and a brief discussion on why it is too early to think about monetizing soil health improvements.
“Cover crops are a good farming practice, but they are only profitable for a small percentage of farms,” said Plastina. “Webinar participants will learn how they are able to use a decision tool to calculate their expected net returns on cover crops.”
Plastina’s research and extension program focuses on farm business and financial management, with a particular emphasis on the economics of conservation practices.
Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on March 24:
- Click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.
- Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
- Or, join from a dial-in phone line: dial: +1-312-626-6799 or +1 646-876-9923, with meeting ID 364 284 172.
The webinar also will be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
–Iowa State University