Field Day to Focus on Use of Cover Crops in Weed and Pest Management

One of the Midwest’s experts on cover crops will be in Indiana on June 25 to talk to farmers about their use in pest and weed management.

Dr. Dale Mutch, Michigan State University professor of plant, soil and microbial sciences, cover crop Extension specialist, and representative to the Midwest Cover Crops Council joins the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI).

Roger Wenning, one of 12 hub farmers for CCSI, is the host for this field day on his Decatur County farm. The day is designed for farmers and those who work for farms. It will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. EDT.

“Dr. Mutch has a large body of research in the use of cover crops in weed and pest management in organic systems,” says Lisa Holscher, CCSI soil health program manager. “We’re talking about concepts that are readily translated into non-organic crop production. I’m looking forward to learning more about how we can add the use of cover crops as a crop protection product.”

The agenda also includes cover crop supplies and sources, aerial seeding, rain simulation, and looking at CCSI strip trials and hub farm reports. The day concludes with dinner.

“We’ll get to the basics and show results by digging soil pits. Farmers will see how continuous no-till, combined with cover crops in a conservation farming system has really worked,” Wenning adds.“This is a great opportunity to educate producers on the effectiveness of cover crops as a management tool,” says Wenning, who has won state and national awards for his conservation efforts.

The event is free, but registration is required for dinner counts. Register online or call (812) 663-8685, or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District for assistance.

Source: CCSI

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