Apply now for Air Seeder Program cost-share assistance
The Sussex Conservation District is accepting applications for its Air Seeder Cost-Share Program. The air seeder is a modified Miller Nitro with a 90-foot boom and specialized seed box that allows producers to sow cover crops while their cash crop is still in the field. Early establishment lets the cover crop take advantage of longer growing degree days in the summer, allowing for better establishment to improve soil health and water quality. The district purchased the air seeder in 2015 to provide access to the innovative technology, so farmers could test its benefits locally.
"Farmers' interests in our program have exceeded our expectations," says Debbie Absher, district director of agricultural programs. "We surpassed our goal of 4,000 acres in the first year and planted nearly 6,400 acres in the second year of operation - almost a 60 percent increase over the previous year. We are hoping to continue that trend and increase the cover crop acres planted with the air seeder again this year. Additionally, we are bringing back the same operator from last year - the only person on Delmarva who has experience to load, calibrate and run the equipment efficiently.”
The district's sign-up began May 15 and will run through the first week of August. There are some changes to the program this year. The first two years were a pilot program to gauge interest. Beginning this year, the Sussex Conservation District will charge $11 per acre for custom application of cover crops into standing cash crops such as corn, soybeans, sorghum, and other vegetable crops located within the boundaries of Sussex County. The district will travel up to 10 miles outside the Sussex County boundaries into Kent County and into Maryland for $12 per acre. This cost includes the machine, operator, and fuel. The farmer is responsible for the cost of the seed and loading the seed.
However, to help control costs and ensure clean seed, the district has partnered with Southern States of Dagsboro to purchase seed in bulk. If the seed is purchased through the district, it will be loaded by the district at no additional charge. If a participant provides their own seed, they must have a way to load the seed with an approved loading method. The district will carry four standard cover crop seed mixes. If a special mix is used, the participant will be responsible for the purchasing and loading of the seed by an approved loading method as well as incur a $50 calibration fee.
Interested farmers can sign up Sussex County fields for cost-share assistance now through Aug. 4. New participants will receive $60/acre for cover crops planted with the air seeder. Returning participants will receive $50/ac. Fields physically located outside of Sussex County are not eligible for Sussex Conservation District cost-share assistance.
Another benefit of the air seeder that was noted by several past participants is that it opens up an additional management window to plant cover crops. Instead of rushing at the end of the season to get cover crops planted after harvest, the air seeder can sow cover crops during the growing season. As one farmer noted, "Once you're done with harvest, you're done."
For more information about the Sussex Conservation District's Air Seeder Program, call the district office at 302-856-3990, Ext. 3.
