Record number of cover crops planted by Maryland farmers

Broke previous record of 430,000 acres

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

In an effort to further protect the soil, water quality, and improve planting conditions for the upcoming season, farmers in Maryland outdid themselves, breaking the previous record of 430,000 acres of planted cover crops by planting 478,000 for 2014-2015.

“Maryland farmers have planted more than 400,000 acres of cover crops for the past five years, which is one of the most-cost-effective ways to keep nitrogen and phosphorus from entering the (Chesapeake) Bay and its tributaries,” said Secretary Earl Hance in a release. “Many people talk about protecting the Chesapeake Bay, but Maryland farmers are actually implementing practices that are helping to achieve our goals.”

Examples of cover crops are rye, barley and other small grains. When they are planted after the fall harvest, the crops recycle plant nutrients that otherwise may go unused. It also protects the fields against winter weather and improve the soil for the next planting season.

The 478,000 acres of cover crops planted will also prevent approximately 2.9 million pounds of nitrogen and about 95,600 pounds of phosphorous from entering Maryland waterways.

“Farmers have gained confidence in a strong cover crop program with consistent funding from year to year, making it possible for them plan ahead and include cover crops as part of their normal cropping system,” Hance said.

Maryland’s top 2013 crop was corn, with a production value of over $310 million.