Illinois Central College will host a Cover Crops Conference on Thursday, March 20 in the Tranquility Room (209A) on the East Peoria Campus. The conference will include presentations for area farmers and Certified Crop Advisors (CCA’s) that are interested in the use of cover crops.

The event runs 9 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and registration begins at 8:15. Cost is $20 which includes continental breakfast, and a buffet lunch.

This conference is part of a Cover Crop Training Program that IL Corn is participating in through their involvement in the Council on Best Management Practices (CBMP).  The goal is to train regional cover crop specialists who will work with local farmers and retailers, encouraging the importation of cover crops into their farming operations.

Cover crops have proven to increase farm profitability through increased yields, but also are an important nitrogen management opportunity, fixing nitrogen in the soil before it is lost and unavailable for future crops.

During the March 20 conference, farmers will learn information from many research trials that have been conducted over the past few years. Presenters include agronomist Gordon Roskamp talking about herbicides for successful cover crop establishment and control, Pete Fandel discussing cover crop species selection and establishment, Dr. Shalamar Armstrong covering the inclusion of cover crops to increase the management of fall nitrogen, and Mike Plumer on cover crop management and research.

This conference is designed to provide answers to many of the most common questions about cover crop species, profitability, management issues, seeding, and termination of stand to get the most benefit from using cover crops in your operation. Certified Crop Advisors will be eligible for CEU’s in NM (1), CM (2), and SW (1) (applied for).

Registration deadline is March 14 and seats are limited.  Register today by clicking here!