The ISA and ICMC Upper White Cover Crop program showcases how cover crops in the watershed can help improve soil organic matter and water-holding capacity.
The Upper White River Watershed, which spans multiple counties in east-central Indiana, channels rainfall and melting snow into creeks and streams and is the main source of freshwater for many Indiana residents, including Indianapolis. To help ensure that source of water is as safe and clean as possible, farmers are utilizing cover crops as one of the methods to keep nutrients and sediments in the field.
In 2023, Indiana ranked second in the nation for cover crop acres planted into corn and soybeans. According to a 2023 Conservation Survey conducted by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Indiana Conservation Partnership, 596,000 acres of cover crops were planted on corn acres, up 153 percent from 2017. And, 931,000 acres of cover crops were planted on soybeans acres, up 245 percent from 2017.
Information about getting involved in this year’s program will be released in July.
INDIANA SOYBEAN ALLIANCE
INDIANA CORN MARKETING COUNCIL
INDIANA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
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