Better Farming – September 2016

7 / 72

Nevertheless, few of the survey’s
respondents listed economic advantag-
es among cover crops’ most attractive
benefits. Economic advantages did
appear as “leading entries in ‘Not a
benefit on my farm,’” the study said.
Unsurprisingly, increases in soil
health and soil organic matter were
growers’ top reasons for using the prac-
tice in 2015. Soil erosion reduction,
weed control and soil compaction
reduction were other popular reasons.
Most commonly, respondents
cultivated cereal rye. Other frequently
planted cover crops included crimson
clover and oilseed radish. Cover crop
mixes were also popular. Those
respondents opting for mixes typical-
ly made their own blends.
The study’s authors cautioned that
the large propor-
tion of longer
term cover crop
users in the
survey sampling
may have
influenced the
recorded per-
spectives on both
cover crop
benefits and the
species or mixes
used.
The Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education program
and the Conservation Technology
Information Center conducted the
report. The American Seed Trade
Association and Purdue University
also contributed. BF
SHORT TAKES
Better Farming September 2016 Farm News First > 7
According to a 2015 Farm Credit Canada Market Insights report,
62 per cent of Canadian farmers use Facebook and about two thirds
of them access their accounts daily. Female farmers are more likely
to use Facebook than their male counterparts. While 61 per cent of
producers use Facebook to keep up to date and communicate with
family and friends, another 36 per cent use it for both business and
personal purposes. This month’s installment focuses on central
accounts for industry news and upcoming ag events. This list does
not indicate endorsement.
Better Farming Our Facebook page is a great source of detailed
coverage of issues affecting Ontario farmers.
This other member of the group of compa-
nies provides timely updates on North American ag news.
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show This year, the show runs from
September 13 to 15. Like the page to learn more about the activities
of the event which bills itself as the “country’s largest outdoor
agricultural trade show.”
International Plowing Match
Wellington County
The International Plowing Match (IPM)
takes place from September 20 to 24.
This page provides information about
the IPM’s events and lead-up activities.
My Job Depends on Ag
South of the border, a very active group
can be found on the My Job Depends on
Ag page. Followers post interesting
photos and updates related to American
agriculture.
What are your go-to pages? Tweet us,
post on our Facebook page or email us at
. We always
appreciate your thoughts! BF
July research from the United States
that draws on a survey of over 2,000
farmers provides good insight into
the use and perceived benefits of
cover crops. On average, respondents
grew almost 300 acres of cover crops
in 2015. They anticipated growing
almost 340 acres this year.
Those surveyed noted boosts in
field crop yields after cover crops. For
corn, the mean increase for 2015
(after one year of cover crop use) was
two bushels per acre. For soybeans, it
was 0.1 bu/ac.
Longer-term use (four years)
brought stronger results: 8.3 bu/ac for
corn and 2.4 bu/ac for soybeans.
Students eying a 4-H Canada scholarship to
help support post-secondary studies in 2017
should prepare to encounter stiff competition.
The number of applications for these
national scholarships jumped by more than 60
per cent in the 2016 intake period compared
to 2015 numbers, says Elizabeth Jarvis, the
organization’s marketing and communications
director. Application numbers for 2015
jumped 61 per cent.
Jarvis says increases in the number of
scholarships isn’t behind the growth in
applications numbers.
“It’s definitely based on interest,” she says.
More opportunities means a greater profile for
the scholarship program. “People are starting
to see just how much leadership they can show
by taking advantage of these opportunities.”
The organization offers several scholarships
and bursaries that mostly, but not exclusively,
focus on helping recipients obtain education
and training in the fields of agriculture and
agribusiness. BF
The attractions of
cover crops
Social (Ag)Media: Farming and Facebook
4-H scholarship frenzy
GETTY
GETTY
FILE PHOTO