harvesting cover crops

NRCS Nixes Change to Cover Crop Harvesting Rules

June 3, 2021

The NRCS has decided not to update its conservation practice standard for cover crops, which means restrictions to harvesting covers will not be added.

Proposed NRCS Change to Cover Crop Guidelines Brings Protests

April 14, 2021 | Posted in Termination

An adjustment of conservation standards by the NRCS could prohibit growers from mechanically harvesting cover crops for seed, hay, silage or biomass, potentially hamstringing dairies who rely on covers for additional or emergency forage.

USDA Allowing Grazing, Haying or Cutting Cover Crops on Sept. 1

August 24, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: North Dakota State University Extension press release

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.

[Podcast] Using Perennial Cover Crops as Forage

In this podcast from Hoosier Ag Today, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Keith Johnson and Forage Agronomist Greg Downing with Cisco Seed discuss harvesting cover crops as forage.

August 13, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

In this podcast from Hoosier Ag Today, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Keith Johnson and Forage Agronomist Greg Downing with Cisco Seed discuss harvesting cover crops as forage.

Cover Crop Flexibility Act Would Allow Harvesting, Grazing on Prevented Plant Acres

March 30, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Tri-State Livestock News

Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduced the Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2020 (S. 3479) to permanently remove the prohibition on harvesting or grazing cover crops on prevented plant acres prior to November 1.

State Looks to Remove Barrier to Growing Cover Crops

By Sarah Hill posted on January 27, 2020

Maryland growers may see a change in the laws around cover crops. Frederick County Delegate Ken Kerr (D) plans to re-introduce a bill that would allow farmers growing cover crops to harvest them. Currently, the state of Maryland pays growers $75 per acre to grow covers, but if they take the money, they aren’t allowed to harvest the crop.

Management Critical When Using Cover Crops as Forage

September 11, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Farm Week Now

Cover crops expand forage options, but require management of potential nutritional and medical issues, according to Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture beef educator. Find out more in this article from Farm Week Now.

Utilizing Cover Crops as High Quality Feed

June 15, 2015 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Frank Wardynski, Michigan State University Extension

Grazing or harvesting cover crops offers livestock producers the opportunity to capture highly digestible nutrients for their animals and provides benefits to the soil in their cropping systems.