In partnership with Polk County and Iowa Cover Crop, the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has planted a cover crop demonstration plot for farmers and landowners to visit at their leisure. This opportunity provides producers a space to learn about cover crops and observe which options might be suitable for their operation.

The five-acre site is in its second year of operation and highlights eight plots of varying cover crop species. Three plots consist of mixed-species plantings, and five plots feature single species. The mixed-species plots include rye, vetch, radish, and camelina; oats and mustard; and radish, turnip, rapeseed, and oats, respectively. The single-species plots feature triticale, rye, winter wheat, vetch, and oats.

All plots were planted on Aug. 27. Despite the dry fall season, the plots show meaningful growth. Each cover crop has unique qualities that lead to benefits for producers, which include but are not limited to enhanced nutrient management, improved soil structure and water infiltration, erosion control, weed suppression, improved moisture management, and decreased input costs.

“A producer’s choice to include cover crops may change the soil health trajectory of land they operate,” said Michael James, the water quality initiative coordinator with Polk SWCD. “We encourage farmers to check out the site themselves to make meaningful and informed decisions for the upcoming crop year.”

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