Cover crops grown over winter are just the right thing to do, according to some local producers who participated in the GRCA’s Rural Water Quality Program and received an incentive payment last year.
The program offers a per acre incentive to applicants in Brant County, Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
The benefits of cover crops are numerous: they can reduce erosion, build better soil structure and improve soil health.
“I’ve used cover crops for years. I don’t like seeing bare soil through the winter. It helps prevent wind erosion and build organic matter,” said Brian Gillespie of North Dumfries who has planted oats, rye, buckwheat and clover as a cover crop.
“On our soil, cover crops are a must.”
Other producers agree. Over the last four years, more than 150 producers in Brant, Waterloo and Wellington received the cover crop incentive through the Rural Water Quality Program.
Under the program, priority is given to erosion-prone fields adjacent to watercourses or wetlands, and areas that are susceptible to wind erosion.
Fields that are tile drained or in wellhead protection areas are also considered.
Cover crops that are used solely for cover – not harvested or grazed – are eligible under the program.
Applications for the cover crop program can be submitted now for payment in spring 2018.
The incentive rate varies by municipality. In Waterloo Region, producers can receive $100/acre, up to 30 acres, while in Brant and Wellington the rate is set at $60/acre, up to 50 acres.
The Grand River Conservation Authority delivers this Rural Water Quality Program initiative on behalf of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, the County of Wellington, the County of Brant and the City of Brantford.
More information is available by visiting grandriver.ca or contacting the GRCA at 519-621-2761.
