A nationwide survey of farmers on cover crop use is seeking insight from growers around the country—whether or not they plant cover crops.
“This survey provides us with a great perspective on why farmers do or do not plant cover crops, what they expect to gain from the practice, and what their concerns are,” says Chad Watts, project director at the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) in West Lafayette, Indiana, which administers the survey. “Results from the survey help guide policy, research and education on cover crops. In recent years, data from cover crop surveys has been used in testimony on Capitol Hill, featured in the New York Times, and cited in academic journals. People are very eager to hear how farmers view cover crops.”
The survey can be taken online at http://tinyurl.com/ccsurvey2016 until May 1, 2016. All answers to the survey are anonymous, Watts points out. Participants who complete the survey — an easy process that takes no more than 15 minutes, and even less depending on your crop rotations and diversity—have the option of entering into a drawing for a $100 gift card.
The project is the fourth annual cover crop survey conducted by CTIC in conjunction with SARE, and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) with help from Penton Media. Sponsors within ASTA include Albert Lea Seed, CHS, The CISCO Corporation, LaCrosse Seed, Mountain View Seed, Allied Seed, Curtis & Curtis Inc., Grassland Oregon, Justin Seed and Seedway.
Anyone interested in seeing results from the 2013, 2014 or 2015 crop year surveys and other related projects, click here.
