Cover Crops Help Keep Water Clean

Broadcaster:
Every spring it seems there is a health concern about EXCESSIVE NITRATES IN drinking WATER SUPPLIES. agronomist Tom Kasper, with the National Soil Tilth Lab at Iowa State University, suggests farmers plant cover crops this fall. 

Tom Kasper (MP3, :29):

(Transcript) Farmers using cover crops can reduce losses of nitrate to tile lines and groundwater and help prevent it from contaminating lakes, streams, and drinking water sources. In Iowa, field studies have shown that rye cover crops reduced nitrate losses by 60 percent. Cover crops also have been shown to reduce the numbers of weeds, increase soil organic matter, and reduce soil erosion. Farmers should consider whether cover crops make sense for their operation. 

broadcaster: 
for more information on cover crops See your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation office. 

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Tom Kasper’s contact information is:

Thomas C Kaspar (Tom)
Soil and Water Quality Research
Plant Physiologist
Phone: (515) 294-8873
Fax: (515) 294-8125
Room 238
2110 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
NAT SOIL TILTH LAB
AMES, IA, 50011-3120

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