Conference preview: Raising a profitable cash crop in a cover crops system

January 6, 2022 | Kriss Nelson

There has been an explosion of new research on managing a cash crop in a cover crops system within the past five years.

At the upcoming Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Innovation to Profit Conference, key findings from this research will be reviewed to enable farmer success in soil health-promoting systems such as cover crops.

Topics to be covered range from selection of cover crop species to weed management, soil fertility, and termination strategies.

“Some farmers have tried cover crops in the past and realized yield losses,” says ISA Senior Field Program Manager Scott Nelson. “Some quit cover crops based upon initial bad experiences while others press on and learn to manage the cash crop in this system better.”

One of the most significant challenges in adopting cover crops is managing residue and establishing the cash crop stand, according to Nelson. This breakout session will feature insights from farmers, including experience setting up planters for cover crop systems.

The presentation also discusses science-proven management practices a farmer can follow without experiencing yield losses. In fact, various ISA trials have shown significant yield increases in cover crop systems over conventional tillage systems.

The session includes a balance of farmer experiences and results from scientific experiments.

Whether a farmer is considering trying cover crops for the first time or a veteran at the practice, Nelson said there will be something for everyone during the cover crop breakout session.

The Innovation to Profit Conference is scheduled for Feb. 17 at the FFA and Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny.

To register and view the full agenda, visit the conference page.

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