10/21/05 Green manure cropping part two

Jennifer Miller says more farmers are getting into green manure cropping. MILLER "In Eastern Idaho last year there were 15 to 20 thousand acres planted in green manure crops." Miller who is the program coordinator for the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides has used demonstration plots to look at mustard crops planted after grain was harvested. MILLER "It cost the grower in 2002 a $117 dollars per acre and then in 2003 it was $131 per acre to plant this. In comparison he was spending about $135 per acre for his fumigants and usually what they find in their potato crop is they can save money on fertilizer because they'll get back much of that that they've incorporated." For grain growers Miller says it's important that green manure crops like mustard be planted by early to mid-August, get plenty of water and time to grow and accumulate bulk before being plowed under. MILLER "The more biomass you have the more benefit because you've got more plant materials to have that biofumigant effect and then also more biomass to add more organic matter." She is hoping to get more funding in the future to help offer incentives to growers. If you have questions or need information about green manure crops or alternatives Miller can be reached in Boise at 850-6504. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott