Mark Licht

Assistant Professor/Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, Iowa State University

"Establishing Cover Crops & Achieving Adequate Biomass"

Licht will discuss cover crop establishment and what that means for fall and spring cover crop biomass. Find out which cover crop species can help your operation establish excellent cover crop stands and grow substantial quantities of biomass.

Session Preview with Mark Licht

 

Marty Earnest

Grower, Caldwell Parish, La.

"Improving the Soil Down in the Deep South with Cover Crops"

Louisiana grower Marty Earnest will share how he's been able to invigorate soil on his corn/soybean operation through a combination of no-till and cover crops, increasing soil organic matter, decreasing soil erosion and improving microbial life in the soil. He's also been able to reduce his input costs to better weather volatile cash crop markets.

 

Mike Brocksmith

Grower Vincennes, Ind.

"Lessons in Continuous Cover Cropping"

Mike Brocksmith, Vincennes, Ind., has used conservation tillage for more than 30 years. He will share the changes he's seen on his farm since beginning to use covers in 2009, including changes to the soil and nutrient levels. Brocksmith will also discuss how he's implemented continuous cover crops on his operation.

Scott Graham Entomologist, Auburn University "Managing Cover Crop Pests" Graham will discuss which pests are particularly problematic both above and below the soil for various cash crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat; which cover crop species can help mitigate problems with different types of pests; and the impact of cover crops on nematodes. Session Preview with Scott Graham

Gregg Johnson Associate Professor, University of Minnesota "Planting Fall Cover Crops While Managing Late Emerging Weeds" Johnson will discuss how cover crops can be used as a management tool and how covers can help growers combat late-emerging weeds such as waterhemp. Session Preview with Gregg Johnson

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"Profitably Grazing Cattle on Cover Crops"

Kansas cattleman CJ Blew will share how his 24,000-acre cow-calf operation has incorporated grazing cover crops into their fifth-generation cattle ranch, located near Castleton, Kan. Blew will discuss how the operation selects cover crop species for grazing and how cattle performance and health has improved since making the switch from 3,000 acres of irrigated cropland and dryland to grazing cover crops.

Olivia Amundson will discuss how grazing cover crops can decrease variable feed costs, which cover crop species can provide the most nutrition for cattle, and other benefits of grazing covers on cattle health and performance.

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"Growers Share Their Experiences with Cover Crops & Soil Health" In this panel discussion, hear from growers who have had success in improving their soil health, thanks to cover crops. You'll hear from Jim Denys, Parkhill, Ontario, Dean Jackson, Columbia Crossroads, Penn., and Lucinda Stuenkel, Palmer, Kans.