The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds farmers participating in the 2007-2008 Traditional Winter Cover Crop Program that they may graze their livestock in cover crop fields or cut and bale the crop for winter hay once the cover crop is fully established.
Many livestock producers are already in a feed deficit because of reductions in hay and grain supplies and pasture grasses due to the drought.
Cover crops are widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective and environmentally promising ways to absorb unused nitrogen and control soil erosion in order to reduce potential nutrient impacts to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries during winter.
The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program provides grants to farmers who plant cover crops of rye, wheat and barley in the fall to slow down rainwater runoff and absorb any nutrients remaining in the soil from the previous summer crop.
For more information, farmers should contact their local soil conservation district or the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) program at (410) 841-5864.
Source: MDA news release, 7.26.07
