New conservation record set by Hoosier farmers

According to a recent conservation survey, Indiana farmers have set a conservation record this year by planting an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers.

“Protecting our most vital natural resources is top of mind for our Indiana farmers and this year’s record breaking cover crop acreage is a testament to that,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Through the implementation of cover crops and other conservation efforts, farmers are ensuring our land and water resources remain healthy and productive.”

Overwintering living covers (i.e. cover crops and small grains, like winter wheat) are known for their environmental benefits. Cover crops and small grains, planted in the fall after harvest, help increase organic matter in the soil and improve overall soil health by adding living roots to the soil for additional months of the year. Cover crops also improve water infiltration into the soil, while other covers, like legumes, serve as natural fertilizers.

Although the conservation transect does not differentiate between cover crops and small grains, Indiana farmers typically plant fewer than 200,000 acres of small grains annually, so cover crops vastly dominate the 1.6 million estimated acres. Apart from corn and soybeans, cover crops are planted on more acres than any other commodity crop in Indiana.

“Hoosier farmers have held strong at 1.5 million acres of cover crops planted since 2021, so we are excited our farmers were once again able to move the needle forward,” said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “Soil conservation successes would not be possible without the dedicated farmers and the Indiana Conservation Partnership to help them along the way.”

As a result of the cover crops planted, it’s estimated that 1.7 million tons of sediment was prevented from entering Indiana’s waterways, which is enough sediment to fill more than 480 Olympic-size swimming pools. Overwintering covers also prevented 4.3 million pounds of nitrogen and over 2.2 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana’s waterways.

The conservation survey also showed that about 68% of farmed acres were not tilled and 17% had employed reduced tillage after the 2022 harvest. This early spring survey is not intended to quantify pre-planting tillage.

“Conserving our natural resources is not a one-agency job. Indiana conservation succeeds through its partnerships, working closely with individual farmers and landown- ers, local, state and federal government agencies, private industries, non-profits, and many other people and groups,” said Curtis Knueven, acting state conservationist for Indiana’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “These partnerships share their unique areas of expertise and allow us to expand the reach and depth of conservation in Indiana.”

The Indiana Conservation Partnership conducts many programs that help encourage private landowners to adopt cover crops as part of the agricultural strategy. One such initiative that helped contribute to the successful year for cover crops in 2022 was the Cover Crop Premium Discount Program. It’s a program that provides a discount on crop insurance for planting cover crops. CCPDP assisted landowners in planting about 30 thousand acres of cover crops in 2022.

The conservation transect is a visual survey of cropland in the state. It was conducted between March and May 2023 by members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership, including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Purdue Extension, as well as earth team volunteers, to show a more complete story of the state’s conservation efforts.

MUSSELMAN - PUBLIC AUCTION

Co. Rd. 900 N. - Twelve Mile, Indiana

Two Bedroom, 1 Bath Country Home on 1 Acre - New Roof in 2022 - New 5” Well in 2018 - Three Garden Sheds - Partial Basement - Rabb Water Softener - 100 Amp - Home Needs Cosmetic Improvements - Great Starter or Investment Property

$5,000 Earnest Money Deposit Due Day of Auction - For More Pictures Please Visit Our Facebook Page or Website. Not Contingent Upon Financing.

HOUSEHOLD - ANTIQUES - COLLECTIBLES

Amana matching washer & e. dryer (white-nice set); GE gas range; small 8 cu. ft. chest deep freeze; 2012 KitchenAid side-by-side reg. d.f. w/ice maker; 72”x40” wood dining room table w/6 matching chairs; cherry 48”x24” island w/14” drop leaf, drawers & doors; misc. pots, pans, utensils, linen, other box lots; floral sofa; leather office chair; 4 tier shelf; modern marble top coffee table; 2-wooden wardrobes; 4-drawer chest; Sleep Ezz side-by-side twin bed w/controls; step stool; Sanyo & Vizio 32” flat screen TVs; Magnavox DVD recorder; new 6000 window AC; 4-window AC units (2-10,000, 1-12,000 & 1-5,000); 2-new 18,000 & 20,000 BTU propane heaters; 2-matching patio recliner chairs (very nice); 2-matching patio rockers; poly lawn chairs; unique yard ornaments; 2-poly pet houses; dog crates; live trap; campfire tri-pod; Char-Broil charcoal grill; ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: 30”W x 66”T kitchen cupboard; 4-drawer chest; 5-drawer chest; 3-drawer chest w/mirror; wall mirror; 4 pc. Ransburg metal canister set (nice); Royal Doulton 5 pc. Toby jugs (unique); iron kettle w/jacket; milk can; watering can; jars & milk bottle; lanterns; wash tubs; Cant hook.

LAWN - GARDEN - SHOP

Snapper 20” 5.5 hp. push mower; tilt bed lawn trailer; 3’x2’ pull lawn roller; RYOBI 18” pole chainsaw; tree trimmers; electric weed eater; B & D edger; Echo 440 EVL chainsaw; fiberglass 8’ step ladder; aluminum mower ramps; shelving; tarps; 2-wheel cart; ratchet straps; canvas folding wagon; Lincoln welder; welding supplies: acetylene torch w/tank & cart; bench grinder; battery charger; metal bender; electric power washer; large vise; skilsaw; sawzall; miter saw; jig saw; air nailer; hose reel; mechanics stool; Craftsman 3-tier tool cabinet; creeper; air compressor; air tank; air hoses & tools; jack stands; hitches; drill bits; metal detector; e. fans; e. hand tools; Craftsman battery drill; assort. of tools (Craftsman & Napa); post digger; clamps; gear puller; band saw; lots of misc. items; buckets; fishing poles; tackle box.

AUTO - PICKUP - TRAILER - DUNE BUGGY - SNOWBLOWER

2011 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Z71 4x4 ½ ton pickup, 4 door, ext. cab, V8, automatic, bedliner, rear step, side rail, black cloth full bench console interior, red color, good paint & rubber, very nice 1-owner pickup with 132,622 miles; 2001 Lincoln Town Car Executive, good body & rubber, no rust, silver body & interior with 86,982 miles; shop built 2-wheel trailer, 4½’W x 6½’L w/12” sides, 2” ball hitch, 15” rubber w/fenders; 4-wheel 2-seater gas dune buggy w/ roll guard, 22x10-10 rubber; Ariens 520 20” self-propelled snowblower w/Plexiglas snow deflector.

AUCTION NOTE: Good 3 hr. auction with some nice items.

SALE ORDER: Real Estate — Household — Lawn — Garden — Shop, with the special items to sell at time indicated.

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Garage Sales A070

FRIDAY/SATURDAY 8-?? 25 to Fulton, take 114W 1/2 mile. Baby items, men-women clothes, house decor, lots of misc.

SATURDAY ONLY 8-? 1307 Wabash Ave., Rochester. Girls/boys clothes, infant to 5T, high chairs, misc. baby, toys, bikes, decor, youth/adult clothing, lots of misc.

Garage Sales A070

COMMUNITY PROJECT THRIFT STORE this Sunday, Sales Galore Sunday! Yellow tags 25% off, lavender tags 50% off, orange tags 75% off, red tags 90% off, green tags FREE. Located at 710 Main St., Rochester.

MULTI-FAMILY SALE, Friday/Saturday 8-?? 4008 N. Old US 31, Rochester. Name brand men’s clothing (Big-Boy), women’s, children’s clothing, books, golf balls, golf clubs, many misc. items. You won’t want to miss!

THE TWO SISTERS SALE, 823

Frontier Dr. (across from the high school/tennis courts). Weed eater, freezer, welder, tools, luggage, furniture, lamps, rugs, knickknacks, glassware, items too numerous to mention! Thursday/Friday 9-4, Saturday 9-?

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GENERAL BARN SALE

2255 W. 450 N. • ROCHESTER

Starts July 12 thru 16 • 9am-6pm

Things From 7 Different Towns - 8 Families Boys 8 to 12, concrete tools, furniture, bikes all sizes, cutting torch and tank, old & new, too much to name it all. Old & new school supplies. Go-cart frame.

OPEN TILL OCT. - WED., THURS. & FRI.