Farmers in Door and Kewaunee Counties are spending a lot of time in their fields this week thanks to the good weather. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, corn is about a month ahead of last year, and two weeks in front of the five-year average. At eight percent of the corn crop harvest for silage, that puts many farmers as much as three weeks ahead of last year. Many operators are taking advantage of the extra time to plant cover crops like winter wheat and triticale for extra forage and for soil conservation efforts. Agronomist Nate Nysse says Peninsula Pride Farms members have seen some success with different strategies over the years.

Peninsula Pride Farms members planted over 10,000 acres of cover crops in 2019 thanks to a number of cost-share programs made possible by state grants. Farmers wishing to try cover crops this fall can apply for a cost-share grant through the organization before September 15th.

Picture courtesy of Tilth Agronomy

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