NEWS from CCSI / For Release on Monday, June 3, 2013
CCSI logo
For more information, contact:
DeeDee Sigler, communications manager, 317-692-7374, ext. 303
 
CCSI Contacts:  
Hans Kok, Coordinator
Dan Towery, Assistant Coordinator 
Barry Fisher, NRCS State Soil Health Specialist 
Lisa Holscher, Soil Health Program Manager 
 

CCSI Partners:
Field Day to Focus on Use of Cover Crops in Weed and Pest Management 

Dale Mutch
Dr. Dale Mutch
Indianapolis -- One of the Midwest's experts on cover crops will be in Indiana on June 25 to talk to farmers about their use in pest and weed management.

Dr. Dale Mutch, Michigan State University professor of plant, soil and microbial sciences, cover crop Extension specialist, and representative to the Midwest Cover Crops Council joins the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI).
 
Roger Wenning
Roger Wenning, far right, looks on as measurements are taken at a soil pit dug in cover crops on his farm during a field day.
Roger Wenning, one of 12 hub farmers for CCSI, is the host for this field day on his Decatur County farm
. The day is designed for farmers and those who work for farms. It will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. EDT.
 
"Dr. Mutch has a large body of research in the use of cover crops in weed and pest management in organic systems," says Lisa Holscher, CCSI soil health program manager. "We're talking about concepts that are readily translated into non-organic crop production. I'm looking forward to learning more about how we can add the use of cover crops as a crop protection product." 
 
The agenda also includes cover crop supplies and sources, aerial seeding, rain simulation, and looking at CCSI strip trials and hub farm reports. The day concludes with dinner.
 
radish
Wenning shows an oilseed     radish, one species of cover crop, used on his farm. 

"This is a great opportunity to educate producers on the effectiveness of cover crops as a management tool," says Wenning, who has won state and national awards for his conservation efforts. 

 

"We'll get to the basics and show results by digging soil pits. Farmers will see how continuous no-till, combined with cover crops in a conservation farming system has really worked," Wenning adds.

 
The event is free, but registration is required for dinner counts. Register online or call (812) 663-8685, or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District for assistance.

 

#     #     # 

STAY CONNECTED
Like us on Facebook     Follow us on Twitter

                     Visit us on the web!