A Field Day is planned for March 31, 2010 observing how the cover crop plots have come through the winter. Details to follow.

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Here is a letter written by a student who attended the 2009 Cover Crop Field Day:

Oct. 28 Field Day Field Trip

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2009 Cover Crop Field Day Information:

Cover Crop Field Day October 28

Click on Link for Brochure

Cover Crops - Present and Future
If you have any interest at all in cover crops this is an event you don’t want to miss. Steve Groff has been a pioneer in using cover crops on his 200 acre farm for almost 30 years. Visit the plots, hear top notch speakers, and interact with the experts.

2009 Speakers:

Jill Clapperton “Benefits of Bio-diversity”

Allan Lill Norwest Seed LTD, New Zealand

“Global perspective on the trends of Cover Crops”

Dave Dum Binkley & Hurst “Precision Cover Crop Seeding”

Jeff Graybill Penn State “New Covers for Lancaster County”

Charlie White Penn State “The Pennsylvania Perspective”

Jim Hoorman Ohio State “Cover Crops for Grain Farmers”

Brian Jones Virginia Tech” Making Money with Covers Crops”

Joel Myers PA No Till Alliance “Cover Crops and No-till”

Cover Crop Plots

Below is a list of cover crop species in the plots, which were planted at three different times (July, August, September). Manure was spread across the ends of the plots. In addition to the individual species, there are various cocktails (mixtures) on display.

                     Wooly Pod Vetch                  Triticale                        Oats                             Hairy Vetch     

                    Indian Head Lentils                Cereal Rye                    Ryegrass                     Austrian Winter Peas 
                      Persian Clover                     Sunflowers                 Common Vetch                      Bell Beans
                      Tillage Radish                   Chickling Vetch            Nemat Arugula                   Caliente Mustard
                     Crimson Clover                  FrostMaster Peas            Oilseed Radish                      Sunn Hemp
                         Phacelia                          Buckwheat            Sub-Terranean Clover              Arrowleaf Clover
                       Mung beans                        Camelina                      Cow Peas                                Canola                                                              

   
                                                                                  Exhibitors:
                                                                               Binkley & Hurst
                                                                             Homestead Nutrition

                                                                                   PNC Bank                                                                                                                                                      Lancaster Ag Products

                                                                          I&J Cover Crop Rollers

                                                                         Keystone Group Ag Seeds

                                                    18 Row High-boy Cover Crop seeder will be demonstrated

From the intersection of 272 and 372 (south of Lancaster), take 372 (Holtwood Road)
west 4.5 miles to Hilldale Road. Turn right. Travel 1.5 miles to the Groff Farm - on the right.