LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing funds to plant cover crops on croplands damaged by recent severe weather.
Cover crops improve soil's physical and biological properties, prevent erosion, supply nutrients, suppress weeds, improve availability of soil water and break pest cycles, among other benefits. These crops can also potentially be grazed.
“This funding will address resource concerns like erosion and water quality, resulting directly from the March 2019 severe weather damage on cropland acres," Nebraska NRCS State Conservationist Craig Derickson said in a press release. "Cover crops are an excellent way to provide protection to cropland after conservation work has been completed. Cover crops can stabilize the soil and improve soil health.”
Funding is available across Nebraska in order to assist in widespread recovery. The highest priority includes land which is unable to be planted with a cash crop and/or harvested this year.
“For Nebraska’s cropland that suffered significant damage, planting a cover crop can be a great way to help protect fields and help restore productivity," said Derickson.
