News

Cover crop seed could be at a premium because of prevent plant

Cover crop seed could be at a premium as the U.S. prepares for a likely record total of prevented plant acres in 2019.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture seed unit supervisor Denise Thiede says the number of unplanted acres in her state and across the Corn Belt is concerning.

“I have reached out to seed suppliers through the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association to find out about the availability of seed. Right now, we think we’re in a position where seed will be available to plant those acres in a cover crop.”

Anticipating a huge need, she tells Brownfield its important farmers seeding cover crops into prevent plant acres understand the legal requirements for selling and buying seed.

“It needs to be cleaned, tested, and labeled truthfully.”

Thiede says by not following the guidelines, farmers can accidentally introduce noxious weeds like Palmer amaranth through contaminated cover crop seed.