Ag News, Monday June 8, 2015

USDA Updates Cover Crop Chart

In order to help reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter, improve early weed control and provide forage for animals - cover crops are becoming more popular. Cover crops are able to create more resilient, efficient production systems. In 2010 - USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists developed a Cover Crop Chart to help growers choose the best cover crop for their specific management and production needs. They recently updated the interactive chart - which provides information on crop species and their growth cycle, water use, pollination and more - to include 58 cover crop species. The updated chart also has new sections for salt-tolerant grasses and placement of crops within a cash-crop rotation. To view the chart - visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/

GO Outdoors!

This month is Great Outdoors Month - and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell invites everyone to participate in the 8th annual National Get Outdoors - or GO - Day on Saturday, June 13th. Tidwell says GO Day provides an exceptional opportunity to introduce kids and their families to the helpful benefits and unique experiences nature offers. He says it also encourages all citizens to connect to and appreciate the special settings, natural treasures and amenities of U.S. forests and grasslands. For GO Day - many Forest Service locations will provide free recreational and educational activities. Visit http://www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/  for more information.

NFU Submits Comments on Climate and Health Assessment

The National Farmers Union filed comments last week on the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s draft Climate and Health Assessment. NFU President Roger Johnson says many of the challenges agriculture faces due to climate change are explained in the Climate and Health Assessment. As work on the draft report continues - Johnson says NFU asks the program to consider the risk to food security posed by food system consolidation. He says climate change has the potential to drive farm consolidation - which would lead to increased reliance on food distribution networks vulnerable to climate-related disruption. Johnson says the U.S. ag industry needs growers of all types and sizes to ensure the U.S. food system is adequately climate resilient.

Source:  NAFB News