Special Report
Demonstration project to promote cover crops in Illinois
Illinois farmers are planting more cover crop acres. A survey of Midwestern farmers last winter by USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program revealed significantly higher corn and soybean yield in fields where cover crops had been planted. Steve Chard, Illinois Department of Agriculture acting bureau chief of Land and Water Resources tells Brownfield that a 3-year demonstration project announced last month by Governor Pat Quinn promotes the use of cover crops by producers for more environmental performance and increased profitability.
Cover crops are used, said Chard, “to conserve natural resources, keep nitrogen and other nutrients on the soil instead of running off into rivers, streams and lakes, reduce soil compaction and things of that nature for greater profitability.”
This fall, 14 plots throughout the state will be planted in cover crops. For more information, go to the website www.covercrops.illinois.gov.
Partners in the project include local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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