Cover Crops

This publication highlights the impact of the 2023-2024 UMD Extension (UME) Winter Agriculture Production Meetings, focusing on participant engagement, preferred learning methods, and the adoption of recommended agricultural practices. Survey results demonstrate how these meetings support farmers in improving crop production, pest and nutrient management, weed control, precision agriculture, and on-farm research participation. Authors: Shannon Dill, Sarah Hirsh, Serena Newton, Hemendra Kumar, Kurt Vollmer, Nicole Fiorellino, and Andrew Kness, Title: University of Maryland Extension Winter Meeting Data 2023-2024 (FS-2024-0744).

Drones, or UAVs, require a mix of hardware and software to operate and are controlled by ground stations. They offer numerous benefits in agriculture, such as precise crop monitoring, efficient resource management, and data collection. Challenges include high costs, certification requirements, and data interpretation. Key applications include crop scouting, spraying, seeding, yield estimation, and disease assessment. Despite challenges, ongoing research aims to maximize benefits and minimize limitations, promising a significant impact on agriculture. Authors: Hemendra Kumar and Ananth Sriram; Title: An Overview of Drones in Agriculture (FS-2024-0705).

Cover crops are crops planted for a primary purpose other than harvest. They are often grown during the time when the primary or harvested crop is not growing. Cover crops can be grown for a variety of agronomic and environmental purposes. However, the effect of cover crops on subsequent cash crops and the environment will vary depending on how intentionally and effectively they are managed to achieve those purposes. Cover crop species and mixtures, timing and growth window, termination, and the effect of cover crops on subsequent crops should all be considered when planning and implementing cover crop systems. Author: Sarah M. Hirsh; Title: Introduction to Growing Cover Crops in the Mid-Atlantic (FS-2023-0692).