Webinar: Maximize Advantages by Treating Cover Crops Like Cash

The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Feb. 23 at noon CST will feature Andrea Basche, assistant professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Basche conducts research to help understand how crop diversity can support yield and environmental outcomes in the context of a changing climate. Her field research on Iowa and Nebraska farms has yielded strategies and opportunities to maximize cover crop benefits.

Iowa Learning Farms is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

In the webinar, "Treating Cover Crops Like Cash Crops: Strategies and Opportunities," Basche will highlight ways to apply basic agronomic principles such as maximizing solar utilization, variety selection, fertilizer and herbicide programs and more. She will draw on research outcomes to demonstrate the long-term benefits that can be achieved through application of these approaches and practices to cover crops.

"It is well known that cover crops are beneficial to soil health and erosion prevention, but it is important to take a broad view of applying fundamental principles of agronomy to the multi-season crop rotation plan which includes cover crops," said Basche. "Treating cover crops like cash crops does improve effectiveness of nutrient cycling, water storage and infiltration, and weed suppression."

Participants in Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Feb. 23:

To access from a dial-in phone line, dial +1-312-626-6799 or +1-646-876-9923 

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the learning farms website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.