Winter Cover and Beyond Field Day - August 21st, 2008
A number of those who attended the field day requested a copy of the talk that Lauchlin Titus gave on Improving Fertilizer Efficiency and Profitability. Click Here to download that presentation in PDF form.
The following article appeared in the Wednesday, September 3, 2008 version of the Houlton Pioneer Times.
Conservation District Event Showcases Best Methods
Houlton - The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District recently held a "Winter Cover and Beyond" Field Day at Houlton High School's Bird Farm.
The purpose of the field day was to not only recognize those farmers who participated in the Winter Cover Project, a five-year effort designed to support, winter cover conservation projects, but to expand on the Winter Cover Project by providing information to producers on how to decrease on-farm energy costs while continuing to improve soil health. This was done through a reduced tillage equipment demonstration and session talks by agriculture professionals.
Andrew Plant of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension began the field day by talking about alternative cover crop rotations, some of which were planted on a demonstration plot at the Bird Farm, that can reduce inputs and potentially open new markets that may help alleviate some of the energy crunch.
Andrew Plant
Lauchlin Titus, an agriculture consultant, discussed fertilizer efficiency and how a producer can figure the nitrogen available for their next crop to eliminate unnecessary applications.
Lauchlin Titus
The afternoon session focused on reduced tillage and soil health discussions and provided everyone present a chance to see a roller crimper in action. Mark Fulford of Teltane Farm in Monroe and an independent farm consultant and educator, has been working on a soil health project with the Heart of Maine RC & D and has been no-till planting experimental plots on his own farm.
Mark Fulford
Fulford brought an 8-foot roller crimper and demonstrated it by knocking down a cover crop of oats and hairy vetch. The resulting mulch from the rolled cover crop, which would normally be direct seeded or transplanted into, provides protection from soil erosion, weed suppression and nutrient cycling. It also preserves soil moisture and organic matter and provides habitat for beneficial insects. Using this method eliminates additional field passes, which reduces soil compaction and saves on fuel costs, equipment wear and time.
Roller Crimper In Action
Over the five-year, cost-shared Winter Cover Project, 36 produces within the Meduxnekeag Watershed adopted the required winter cover crop and mulching practices. These same participants were presented with special "Participants Plaque" during the field day lunch by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency' s representative Steve Winnett.
Steve Winnett of the Environmental Protection Agency
Roger Sherman - Winter Cover Project Participant Plaque
The Winter Cover Project was funded through a grant program from the EPA and involved the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, SASWCD, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.