Cover Crop Field Day Set for June

By Scout Nelson

University of Minnesota will host the 2026 Cover Crop Field Day titled “Setting up for Success” on June 25 at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton, Minnesota. The educational program is designed for farmers, crop advisers, agricultural professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about cover crop management.

Liz Stahl and Axel Garcia y Garcia highlighted that the event will provide practical information about soil health, planting strategies, grazing systems, and cover crop management practices for farmers and agricultural professionals.

The event will begin with check-in at 8:30 a.m. and continue from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Organizers say the field tour will start promptly at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting, and the event will be held rain or shine. Lunch will also be provided for attendees who register before June 19. For more details and to pre-register go to https://z.umn.edu/covercropfieldday. You can also go directly to the registration link at:  https://z.umn.edu/ccfielddayregis. 

The field day will feature several outdoor demonstrations and indoor discussions focused on improving crop production and soil health. Topics include finding the best cereal rye seeding rates and termination timing, understanding how cereal rye interactions with soybeans and plant diseases, and measuring the effects of cover crops on soil erosion.

Additional presentations will focus on camelina planting strategies, interseeding cover crops into short-stature corn, and using cover crops for grazing systems. Organizers will also discuss planting cover crops that support pollinators and examine how cover crops affect agricultural landscapes.

Several University of Minnesota researchers, Extension educators, and graduate students will lead the presentations and demonstrations. Speakers include Gregg Johnson along with additional researchers and students involved in crop and soil science programs.

Photo Credit: minnesota-corn-growers-association