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Illinois gearing up for annual “Fall Covers” program
Some Illinois farmers utilizing cover crops this fall can save on their crop insurance premiums this spring.
Brian Rennecker, natural resources division manager with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), says they’re preparing for the sixth year of the “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” program.
“We offer up to a $5 an acre rebate for those farmers that have planted cover crops.” He says, “Historically, this program goes really fast. This year we’re going to be able to offer 190,000 acres.”
He tells Brownfield demand for the program shows farmers are seeing the benefits of the conservation practice.
“It seems like every month there’s more and more data that makes sense to the farmers on the benefits of the cover cropping system.” He says, “There’s more funding privately, through the state, and through the federal for cover cropping systems.”
Rennecker says farmers should have their cover crop acres certified by the Farm Service Agency. Pre-enrollment opens on December 4th and the program opens on December 16th.
A link to learn more can be found HERE.
AUDIO: Brian Rennecker – IDOA
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