PFI members Ben and Bryanna Harner farm in Columbus Junction, Iowa, where they have a wean-to-finish swine operation for Niman Ranch. They produce 6500- 7000 hogs per year, and work with two other producers who custom feed to help them reach those numbers. Prior to their move to Iowa in 2019, the couple farmed in Pennsylvania where they planted 100 acres of cover crops.
Presently, the Harner’s plant a 75% rye and 25% crimson clover mix at a rate of 30-35 pounds per acre and apply it by drone at the beginning of September. They will do a burndown of the cover crop before planting corn this spring.
In the future, Ben wants to apply the cover crop right after harvest at a rate of 60- 90 pounds of rye per acre. Because they contract the drone, increasing the amount of flying time to increase the rate applied is cost prohibitive in addition to seed costs. Bryanna also wants to try different cover crop mixes in the future.
Ben and Bryanna farm fewer acres in Iowa than they did in Pennsylvania and reflect on some of the differences in cover crop adoption between the states. While farming in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, there was a significant amount of funding and resources available to prevent erosion and runoff into the bay. Cover crop use was also more widespread, and they received more per acre in Pennsylvania’s cost-share programs. Bryanna says, “Ben and I have learned that farming is not a “one size fits all” approach, and we have found success stepping outside of our comfort zone.”
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