JUNE 2019 STEWARDSHIP ADVOCATE UPDATE

Posted on June 24, 2019 at 2:10 PM by Iowa Corn

monthly update from ben gleason, iowa corn sustainable programs manager

Unfortunately, prevented planting insurance has become a reality for many farmers across the state. This fact sheet provides some basic information on its provisions. The Risk Management Agency has recently made a change to allow haying and grazing of cover crops on prevented plant acres after September 1 (previously the rule was November 1). This also includes silage, haylage, and baleage.

Cover crops can help protect prevent plant acres from erosion, weeds, and fallow syndrome. These acres provide earlier seeding opportunities than post-harvest seeding, which will produce greater forage and other benefits. Click here for more information on what to consider when planting cover crops on prevent plant acres. Cost share is available for cover crops regardless of the previous crop. Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative pays up to $25 per acre for first time cover crop users and $15 per acre for experienced cover croppers. Click here for more information on this program which also includes cost share opportunities for no till, strip till, and nitrification inhibitors.

In addition to prevent plant insurance, flooded areas may receive assistance with repairing damage. All Iowa counties are now eligible for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, which provides options to landowners and local communities to reduce the hazards from floods, droughts, windstorms, and other natural disasters. Examples of activities eligible for funding include: removing debris, protecting eroded stream banks, repairing levees, and reseeding damaged areas.

Finally, several Iowa farmers from across the state are featured in this month’s “Latest Information” section below. Check out what other farmers are doing to implement conservation on their farmers at our Farmer to Farmer Conservation Insights.