Building Knowledge about Wisconsin’s Cover Crops
A farmer research project:
The Wisconsin Cover Crop Survey is kicking off a fourth year after reaching nearly 100 farms surveyed to date. They are looking for high-quality on-farm data to help improve their understanding about the who, what, why, where, and when of cover crops.
How it works:
• Fill out a survey this fall on one field or set of fields where you cover crop (online or paper options available).
• A kit will be mailed to you in the fall for you to collect and mail samples of your cover crop in the fall and again in the spring. They will test biomass and forage quality and do a nutrient analysis on your samples. Collecting the samples should take less than 15 minutes.
They are limited to sixty sampling kits for the entire state so please sign up as soon as possible to ensure your spot in this year’s project!
To thank you for your partnership:
• Farmers receive a $25 stipend for filling out the survey or a $100 stipend for also contributing cover crop samples.
• They send you your FREE results on cover crop biomass, nutrient analysis and forage quality.
• They share interactive web and paper reports so you can learn of project findings and also compare your own cover crop practices and results with other farmers all around the state.
• Your information will be kept private, your participation is voluntary, and you can leave the project at any time.
Who is collecting this data and why:
A group of researchers and educators working with USDA Dairy Forage Research Center, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, the University of Wisconsin, and other partners created this citizen science project, part of the Soil Health Collaborative, to improve cover crop recommendations for the state of Wisconsin.
Understanding how cover crops are being used, the challenges faced by farmers in implementing them, and the benefits they experience is crucial for making informed management decisions. By gathering data and insights through this project, you can refine decision support tools like SnapPlus and contribute to the development of the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial database, which can be valuable resources for farmers looking to adopt cover crops in their farming practices.
The sponsorship and support from The Nature Conservancy are vital in driving the success of this project. With their backing, the initiative can reach a broader audience and have a more significant impact on promoting sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts. Recognition of TNC agronomist Ricardo Costa’s dedicated support further underscores the importance of collaboration and expertise in achieving the project’s goals.
Overall, this project represents an excellent example of how citizen science, collaboration between various organizations, and support from sponsors can come together to address real-world challenges and promote sustainable farming practices in the state of Wisconsin. Farmers, researchers, and the environment all stand to benefit from the knowledge and outcomes generated by this initiative.
Questions or comments:
Dan Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison & Extension Southwest Regional Outreach Specialist for the Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) Program, dhsmith@wisc.edu, or Ricardo Costa Silva, Associate Director of Agriculture Strategy for The Nature Conservancy, r.costasilva@tnc.org.