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Gap between NRCS and industry cover crop seeding rates

A cover crop seed specialist says there is a gap between how the NRCS and seed industry view cover crop seeding rates.

Al Halvorson with La Crosse Seed says NRCS handles EQUIP cost-share funds for cover crops with a one-size-fits-all approach.

“When we look at the (seed) industry, we look at the practical side of seed costs, seeding rates, and what makes sense from an economic standpoint.”

The EQUIP program has specific planting requirements for cover crops in order to qualify for financial assistance.

Halvorson tells Brownfield he works with his customers on an individual basis.

“The first thing I need to know and those in my company need to know is if (the farmer) is part of a program.  Is there cost share?  Are there protocols to make sure (the farmer) is doing it correctly so you get your cost share funds?”

He says there have been instances where it was more cost-effective for the producer to seed fewer cover crops than the EQUIP program called for, resulting in no cost-share assistance.

Brownfield spoke to Halvorson at the southeast Minnesota cover crop consortium field day near West Concord.