Maryland Cover Crop Sign-Up is June 24-July 15

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2016-2017 Cover Crop Sign-Up will take place June 24 through July 15 at soil conservation district offices statewide. This popular program provides grants to help farmers offset seed, labor and equipment costs to plant cover crops on their fields this fall to control soil erosion, reduce nutrient runoff and protect water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Governor Larry Hogan has allocated approximately $22.5 million for Maryland’s 2016-2017 Cover Crop Program.

“Maryland farmers lead the Bay states in taking actions to protect our soil and water resources. Last year, we had our third record-breaking cover crop planting in a row, topping out at more than half a million acres planted,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder. “Adding cover crops into a cash crop rotation adds to the productivity of our farmland and the health of our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. I urge all farmers to visit their soil conservation district to sign up for our cover crop program between June 24 and July 15. This will be your only opportunity to enroll in this year’s program.”

The environmental benefits of planting cover crops on newly harvested fields in the fall are well documented. As they grow, cover crops protect water quality by recycling unused plant nutrients remaining in the soil from the preceding summer crop. Once established, cold-hardy cover crops work all winter to protect fields against erosion caused by wind, rain, snow and ice.

Maryland’s Cover Crop Program provides grants to farmers who plant small grains such as wheat, rye or barley, brassicas, and forage radish on their fields following the fall harvest. To help create diversity and give farmers more planting options, small grain/legume mixes containing crimson clover, Austrian winter peas or hairy vetch are now eligible for grants.

The 2016-2017 Cover Crop Program offers two planting options for farmers. Traditional cover crops receive a base rate of $45/acre and up to $30/acre in add on incentives for planting early and using highly valued planting practices. Traditional cover crops may not be harvested, but can be grazed or chopped for livestock forage for on-farm use after becoming well established. Harvested cover crops qualify for $25/acre with a bonus payment of $10/acre if rye is used as the cover crop.

Maryland’s nutrient management regulations require farmers to plant cover crops when organic nutrient sources are applied to fields in the fall. In addition to their water quality benefits, cover crops improve soil health and water retention, increase organic matter in the soil, reduce weeds and pests and provide habitat for beneficial insects. Studies have shown that planting cover crops in the fall can increase yields of cash crops like corn and soybeans after only a few years.

Farmers should check their mailboxes for information on the 2016-2017 Cover Crop Program.

Maryland’s Cover Crop Program is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the state’s 24 soil conservation districts through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. Funding is provided by the 2010 Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund and the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund. To participate, applicants must be in good standing with the cost-share program and in compliance with the Nutrient Management Program. Other restrictions and conditions apply.

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