Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Conservation District's South Central Region meeting in Oklahoma. There, I met many of the partners who help put conservation on the ground here in Louisiana. Helping Louisiana landowners with their resource concerns and keeping their food and fiber operations economically viable is a big job. We're grateful to partner with the folks in our Soil and Water Conservation Districts to promote and implement conservation practices that will make a difference in conserving our precious natural resources. 

As we head into a new fiscal year, we recently announced the first financial assistance program batching date of November 22. Now is the time to get your application in for consideration during this first funding cycle. We're looking forward to continuing to address natural resource concerns with increased levels of funding dedicated to conservation efforts.

If you'd like to discuss how we can help you address your resource concerns while also helping improve your operation, please contact your local NRCS office. 

Thank you.

The real-time insights gained from these airborne surveys are a game-changer for conservation planning, offering clear visibility into clear-cuts and pasturelands where on-the-ground access is limited. JD shared, "It creates a real-time positional correction, adjusting for atmospheric conditions and ensuring precise imagery." This evolution in drone technology not only saves time and resources but also helps drive sustainable conservation through improved efficiency. In simple terms, this thing can get to hard-to-reach areas quickly and provide images that we couldn’t possibly see with our own eyes from the ground.

Are you considering putting in cover crops and need cost estimates? We've got you covered.

There is no doubt that the practice of using cover crops can improve soil quality and health over time. Including cover crops in your management plan can reduce soil erosion, suppress weeds, and improve water infiltration and soil moisture retention. From an economic standpoint, these benefits can lead to lower input costs, less variation in yields and improved resilience over time. 

As with any change in management practice, though, you likely want to weigh the potential costs vs. benefits before making a decision. I've put together some numbers to consider, but please be sure to make adjustments based on your specific operation taking into account your equipment, seed choice, herbicides, and other variables that may affect your bottom line. 

First, let's look at the cost of your cover crop seed. This can be highly variable. Are you planning to use a single or mixed species? This could range from $10 on the low end to about $60 per acre on the high end. For the purpose of this example, I'm using an average of $35/acre. 

Next, consider planting costs. This will be dependent on your equipment and method of planting and should include: labor, fuel consumption, and repair of equipment. I've figured planting costs based on a 170hp tractor pulling a 20ft grain drill. Given those details, planting costs would average around $8.11/acre. 

Finally, you'll need to factor in termination costs. Once again, this is highly dependent on your choice of cover crop and your operation and equipment. The costs associated with termination should include: fuel, labor, repair for a spray rig at a given width, and the amount and type of herbicide you use. I've based my amount on a spray rig at 170hp and 27' width ($7.15/acre) along with 2 pints of glyphosate ($8.05/acre) for a total of $15.20/acre.

Take all of the factors into consideration and you're looking at a very rough average of $58.31/acre to implement cover crops.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which aims to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities in the United States. NDEAM promotes inclusivity and equal opportunity in the workplace by highlighting inclusive policies and practices.