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Payments available for fall cover crops
fall cover crop incentive
A radish and cereal rye cover protect the soil after corn silage. It is important to get a cover crop established as soon as possible in fall to protect the soil. Incentive payments are available from the producer-led watershed group, Farmers of the Sugar River, to area watershed farmers to ease the financial burden of using cover crops.

MONROE — Those interested in cover crops after corn sileage can receive help with costs from the Farmers of the Sugar River. 

Farmers of the Sugar River is a group of farmers that encourage and challenge other farmers to adopt conservation practices that reduce soil erosion and improve surface water resources. The group has received a grant from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to assist in covering costs of holding field days, educational events and incentives to try new conservation practices. 

For those who have land that drains to the Sugar River watershed, the group is offering $12.50 per acre, up to a maximum of 80 acres per farmer to plant cover crops. The cover crops can be planted after wheat, corn silage or soybeans. They can be applied aerially, broadcasted or by drilling. There are a variety of cover crops that work in the area, it really depends on the farmer’s goals for the cover crop as to what would be recommended. Several factors are taken into consideration before a suggestion is given. 

Single page applications are available on the group’s website- https://greencountylwcd.com/farmers-of-the-sugar-river/ or from the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department, 1627 4th Ave West, Monroe. Contact Tonya Gratz at the Green County LWCD for more information or to determine your watershed at 608-325-4195, ext. 121. The Green County LWCD serves as the fiscal manager and collaborator for the Farmers of the Sugar River group.