Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, is reminding farmers and landowners that an important deadline is fast approaching. For those who will plant cover crops, the application for the state’s cover crop insurance discount program must be filed by Friday, Jan. 15. Applicants may be eligible to receive a $5 per acre discount on their spring crop insurance premiums. “Farmers and landowners across the state are recognizing the benefits of planting fall cover crops to improve the health of their fields and water quality in their communities and downstream,” Naig says. “I encourage everyone who planted fall cover crops to take advantage of this opportunity to save some money on spring crop insurance premiums.” Cover crops, such as rye and oats, prevent soil erosion and lock in nutrients, especially during extreme weather events. They have also been proven to reduce nitrogen loads by 28 to 31 percent and phosphorous loads by 29 percent—which improves water quality. To qualify, the cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other state or federal cost-share programs. A link for more information and to apply can be found below.

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For more information or an application: www.apply.cleanwateriowa.org