2021 September Stewardship Advocate

Happy Fall!  Harvest time is here.  Please be safe! 

There is a deadline coming very quickly for federal cost share programs.  While the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts applications year-round, October 1 is the next funding cut off for programs such as wetland easements, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  Click here for more information. 

If you are applying nutrients this fall, be sure to follow the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship (right source, right time, right rate and right place).  Soil temperatures should be consistently below 50 degrees at a four-inch depth (click here for soil temps) and use an inhibitor.  Otherwise, nitrogen could be lost to the environment and not help the next crop. In drought areas, there may be residual nitrogen that could be flushed with spring rains causing major water quality problems.  Consider reducing your nitrogen rates if you have unused nitrogen in the soil. 

Finally, make sure your pesticide certification is up to date before the end of the year.  In-person and online pesticide applicator testing options are available for commercial and private applicators this fall.  Click here for more information. 

Latest Information 

Highlighting 30+ Years of Research at Cover Crop Field Day   

Why Should Food and Agricultural Business-Related Companies Pay for Outcomes?   

SHI Deciphers Soil Health Economics   

More Farmers Are Planting Cover Crops   

Fall Manure Applications Can Be Effective   

Walmart Introduces New Agriculture Sustainability Best Practices   

USDA to Offer New Insurance Option for Conservation-Minded Corn Farmers Who Split-Apply Nitrogen   

Carbon Markets: Farmers Want More to Hang Their Hat On  

Will Cannon: The Trusted Tenant   

Prairie Establishment Takes Patience  

Upcoming Events 

September 23 Prairie STRIPS, Virtual 

September 29 Wetland Field Day, Coggon 

September 30 Economics of Soil Health, Webinar 

October 7 Nitrogen Rates, Webinar 

October 13 Water Quality Index, Webinar 

October 26 Monarch Conservation, Webinar 

November 10 Boone River Study, Webinar 

December 8 Microbiomes, Webinar 

Farmer to Farmer Video 

Anna and Randy Golightly, who farm in Madison County, explain why they plant cover crops and the benefits they realized by grazing cover crops.  Plant cover crops now for spring forage!