As spring planting nears, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages farmers to start formulating a plan to terminate the cover crops they planted last fall. Best management practices will vary based on the fall planting date, spring growth conditions and the goals established by the farmer or landowner. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship recommends that farmers consult with their agronomist, insurance agent or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to make sure they’re maximizing cover crop benefits while protecting their cash crop yields. “Cover crops are a critical piece of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy; they enhance soil health and improve water quality, while also offering weed control, livestock grazing and carbon-reduction benefits,” said Secretary Naig. “Farmers and landowners are seeing the benefits of cover crops and are seeding more acres than ever before. We saw record interest in our state-level cove