For those interested, the deadline for first round applications under EQIP is Friday.

EQIP is our main funding program and we can take applications throughout the year. However, to have the best chance to take advantage of incentives to try no-till for three years, plant cover crops, implement grazing systems or components of and barnyard improvement projects, farmers are encouraged to sign up now.

With grain prices taking a dive and looking that way well into next year, now may be a good time to plan for planting a cover crop mix that will aid in building soil health and nitrogen to reduce fertilizer costs.

For those who haven’t participated in our cover crop program before, we offer both single species covers like rye or wheat as well as cover mixes like rye and radishes. This is a good program to take advantage of since we offer up to three years of cost share and typical incentives cover the cost of seed and in most cases the cost of a custom planter.

The transition to no-till has been somewhat popular in the past but is for those who haven’t tried no-till or are currently no-tilling less than 50 percent of their crop rotation. The payments typically cover the cost of hiring a custom operator, if need be.

EQIP also provides incentives for pasture projects; whether you’re interested in implementing a full-blown rotational grazing system or looking for a small project like some interior fence, multiflora rose control or adding a spring development or pressurized water system.

Barnyard projects are probably the most funded part of the program and if you currently don’t have a stabilized winter feeding area or manure storage, EQIP is a great fit.

Cost share is available to expand winter feeding pads; typically the pad is sized to contain animals on concrete when pasture conditions are unfit for grazing.

When sizing the pad we often take into consideration existing barn space. However, if animals are fed outside without access to a barn we can account for total confinement. Manure storages are typically designed with feeding pads and in our area a three to four month storage is usually recommended.

We offer several scenarios for our barnyard projects; the most popular is roofing the entire area, but we have also installed some that had open manure storages and feeding areas or only covering the manure storage itself.

For smaller operations, having some portion open, especially if the animals have access to an existing barn, really reduces the cost.

To be eligible for barnyard projects the operation needs to have a current nutrient management plan in place and an engineering evaluation to determine sizing, cost and feasibility of the project.

We have some planners in the area that are reasonable at completing the nutrient management plan, but since these plans are only good for three years it’s sometimes better to have our office evaluate the site and give you some recommendations before moving forward with plan development.

If you think EQIP could work on your operation or are interested in signing up, contact our office at 724-482-4800, Ext. 3, for an application or to discuss the program in more detail.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.