RMA added this flexibility starting with the 2021 crop year as part of a broader effort to encourage producers to use cover crops, an important conservation and good farming practice.
Changes in federal grazing and harvesting rules on prevented-planting acres could help livestock producers in select counties replenish forage supplies, or at least offset shortages in perennial forage production, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists. Counties that qualify must have 15% or more acres classified as prevented plant. Read more in this press release from North Dakota State University Extension.
When faced with a crop failure due to severe weather, or conditions prevent planting in the first place, seeding cover crops on these acres can help control weeds and protect soil from erosion as well as provide other soil health benefits. Trials from the University of Minnesota reveals which covers grow the most biomass the quickest.
There is a lot of interest in haying or grazing a cover crop planted on prevented planting acres. This is mostly the result of projected lower yielding 2020 hay production due to a late freeze and current dry conditions. Read more in this article from AgWeek.
For the first time ever, the Ed and Andrew Askegaard families are using their prevented-planting insurance. “Here we are,” Ed said, “after Memorial Day, harvesting our COVID-19 corn." Read more in this article from the Capital Journal (Pierre, SD).
Source: North Dakota State University Extension press release
Challenging harvest conditions in the fall of 2019 in combination with excess moisture and cool temperatures this spring have inhibited spring planting, resulting in above normal acres of prevented planting. In addition, many livestock producers in the region are short on forage due to harvest challenges in 2019 and delayed pasture readiness this spring.
It’s tough to think about prevented planting, but coming up with a plan for those fields now is critical for following through with effective management. Bottom line is that something needs to be growing on those fields in 2020 to use water and prepare them for 2021. Read more in this article from AgWeek.
When 4 million acres of the South Dakota’s crops couldn’t be planted in 2019, there was a powerful need for cover crop seeds. Millborn Seeds Inc. of Brookings was one of the players in the region’s seed business that scrambled to cover prevented-planting acres for their customers.
The editors of No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer and Cover Crop Strategies assembled this web page to serve as a source for growers looking for options on prevented-planting acres in the U.S. and potentially find sources of disaster aid.
The editors of No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer and Cover Crop Strategies assembled this web page to serve as a source for growers looking for options on prevented-planting acres in the U.S. and potentially find sources of disaster aid.
Farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres will be permitted to hay, graze or chop those fields earlier than November this year, the USDA announced.
The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 7-10, 2025!Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 33rd Annual National No-Tillage Conference in Louisville, Ky. Jan. 7-10, 2025. Experience an energizing 4-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led No-Till Classrooms and collaborative No-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.
Mackane Vogel here at the Acres Eco-Ag Conference and Trade Show in Madison, Wis., and for this week’s segment we are going to toss it off to Gary Zimmer to talk a little bit about his cover crop strategies.