News

Cover crop plantings up 30 percent

The USDA says cover crop acreage is up about 30 percent from last year and double that of 2017, mostly because of the late planting season.

 Steven Peterson with the Farm Service Agency says a shortage of seed has some farmers making do with what they have.

“Some producers, to make sure that they’re putting a cover down, they’re actually using some of that seed that they intended for either soybeans or corn –they’re just planting it beyond the late planting period, which doesn’t necessarily allow it to be considered a planted commodity, but they’re using that as well.”

USDA is reporting more than 2.7 million acres of cover crops have been planting so far.  Cover crops are ideal for controlling weeds, pests and preventing soil erosion.