Clark County UW-Extension's Crops and Soils Agent Offers Advice for 2019 Growing Season
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019 -- 12:07 PM
-The Clark County UW-Extension’s Crops and Soils Agent, Richard Halopka, answers questions about the difficult planting season.According to the Extension Newsletter, farmers are asking a number of questions as we pass July 1st including should I consider an alternative crop; are there other options I should consider; after receiving preventative plant, what must I do with the preventative plant fields; and can I harvest preventative plant fields? Richard provided some thoughts regarding those questions. He suggests you contact your crop insurance agent. Most policies require farmers to control weeds and plant a crop in the field. Currently, if you received a prevent plant payment you may not harvest the forage cover crop until after November 1st and then for dry forage or grazing. Many are asking will this change? Richard admits, he doesn’t know. You need to follow up with your agent and listen to current news. He also said if you accept preventative planting payments, know your responsibilities of planting a cover crop and weed control during the 2019 growing season. There are many options for planting a cover crop on preventative plant acres. A cover crop will suppress weeds and provide positive results rather than leave a field fallow.
If you have livestock to feed, keep planting something. Corn Silage is a viable option into early July. Planting an annual crop will provide forage in about 45-60 days. Seeding down forages in late July and early August may not provide forage in 2019, but will help in 2020. Cover crops with fibrous root systems will stabilize soils and feed the soil microbiology. Add a legume to capture Nitrogen for next year’s crop. Root crops added into the cover may reduce compaction and help scavenge nutrients from the soil.
Clark County has over 158,000 head of livestock to feed and there is a shortage of forage available. Forage inventories are also very low. If you have any further questions, you can contact Richard Halopka at 715-743-5121 or [email protected].
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.