FAIRFIELD, Iowa — Due to the intense drought conditions, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe announced that the original agenda for the Getting your cover on: cover crop establishment methods field day in Jefferson County set for Thursday August 31 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. has been modified to address the current dry conditions.
The field day will have more of workshop setting and will focus on considerations for seeding cover crops in dry conditions. Topics to be discussed including adjusting seeding methods and the effect potential herbicide carryover may have on establishing a cover crop.
The workshop will be held at the Jefferson County Activities Building located at 2606 West Burlington Ave., Fairfield. A complimentary meal will be provided by Iowa Learning Farms and prepared by the Jefferson County Cattlemen.
Local farmer John Peck will share his experiences with cover crops. Peck has been cover crops on his farm with the main goal of reducing soil erosion. Peck started looking at different seeding methods such as aerial seeding and interseeding to help him get cover crops established sooner on his farm; however, due to the dry conditions he’s had to modify his plans this year. He will be sharing what he has learned along the way with trying to integrate cover crops into his farming operation.
Other speakers at the workshop include, Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farm’s Field Research Coordinator, who will be sharing research results from Iowa Learning Farm’s cover crop seeding techniques project. Lanessa Baker, Cedar Creek Watershed Coordinator and Miranda Haes, Lower Skunk River Watershed Coordinator will share about local cost share opportunities available for farmers interested in trying cover crops on their farms. Vittetoe will lead the discussion on considerations for seeding cover crops in dry conditions.
The workshop is being put on by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with Iowa Learning Farms, Cedar Creek Watershed, Lower Skunk Watershed, and Jefferson County Farm Bureau.
The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are wanted to help with the meal count. For more information or to RSVP contact the Jefferson County Extension office at 641-472-4166 or Rebecca Vittetoe at 319-653-4811 or rka8@iastate.edu. Please RSVP by August 28.
Click here for a flyer: Jefferson County Cover Crop Field Day Flyer UPDATED 8.14.17
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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