![Midwest Cover Crop Council Sets Conference for Feb 24th](https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/3255150.jpg)
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Cover cropping is a management practice that continues to gain in popularity in efforts to curb erosion, nutrient loss, and soil degradation. The Midwest Cover Crops Council is hosting The Science of Cover Crops Conference on Feb. 24 in Madison, WI.
The conference will be conducted in two parts. The morning portion includes speakers from around the Midwest (including Canada) to review the current state of knowledge on the quantified benefits of cover crops on topics such as erosion control, soil health, nutrient supply, water quality, alternative use as a forage crop, and cropping system economics. The afternoon portion includes several interactive sessions, including a cover crop panel, a poster session, and group discussion about the future of cover crops in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Cover crops fit well into dairy, grain, and vegetable production systems in Wisconsin and many different cover crop species can be grown. While adoption of cover crops in Wisconsin has been on the rise, there are still many acres where cover crops could be beneficial. However, there still are many questions about cover crops, including cost and management, as well as understanding the short-term and long-term benefits.
“Come to the conference prepared to ask questions and offer your own insight into successful cover crop management,” says Matt Ruark, Associate Professor of Soil Science and Conference Director.
The agenda, link to the online registration, and hotel information can be found on the Midwest Cover Crops Council webpage http://www.mccc.msu.edu/MCCCmeeting.html. Registration fee for the conference is $50, which includes a lunch. For those interested, the Midwest Cover Crops Council will also be having their working group meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the same location. The registration fee is $35 for this one-day event; to register for the workgroup meeting, click on the option during online registration for the conference.
This conference in being held in collaboration with University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW-Extension, North Central SARE, and the Michael Fields Institute.