AFTON – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Union County Natural Resources Conservation Service, will host a cover crop field day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. The field day at Nick and Andrea Lacina’s farm in rural Afton is free, open to the public and includes a complimentary lunch.
The Lacinas, Union County farmers, who farm with their sons Cain and Cole, added cover crops to their operation in 2014. Reducing soil erosion is one of the motivating factors that led to the addition of winter cereal rye, oats and wheat cover crops. As cattle producers, they graze their cover crops to help maximize the return value through a supplemental feed source. Weather permitting, attendees will visit the nearby cover-crop fields.
Also speaking at the field day is Joe Sellers, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. He will share information and recommendations to maximize the feed value of cover crops. Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farms events coordinator, will lead a discussion on spring management considerations for both grazing and row-crop production and share on-farm cover-crop research updates and recommendations.
The field day will be held at the Lacina farm on Pheasant Avenue, near Afton. From Creston, head east on Highway 34 for nine miles. Turn left to go north on Pheasant Avenue. The farm is located on the east side of the road across from Green Lawn Cemetery. Lunch will be served inside the shop and, weather permitting, the program will take place in the nearby cover-crop field.
The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms has become a trusted source of conservation information and research while helping to build a culture of conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website at www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/.