Livestock Between the Rows
Livestock Between the Rows: An Adaptive Approach to Diversifying Illinois Row Crop Operation
Thursday, September 19 | 9 a.m.-Noon
Location
1020 N Musson Rd | Astoria, IL 61501
Hosts
Luke and Jen Jones with Clara, Elliott, Rhett and Emmett
Luke Jones and his family started a small farm between Rushville and Astoria, Illinois with a diverse livestock and row crop operation. Luke has been working with other farmers for years and believes diversity is key to achieving a resilient farm that is environmentally sound and economically profitable. At his field day he will show and discuss no-till corn fields following roller-crimped cover crops, his strip trial of grazing sheep on cover crops between strips of non-GMO corn, the principles of soil health and diversification and reduced inputs from these practices.
Meal
Lunch will follow the field day.
See & Discuss
- View and discuss sheep grazing annual cover crops between cash grain strips and discuss the decision to transition to non-GMO seed
- View and discuss corn planted green followed by roller-crimping standing cover crops in no-till fields
- Discuss the principles of soil health and diversification in regenerative agriculture
- Discuss the reduction of inputs from cover crop management and integrating livestock
Directions
Musson Road is on the north side of Highway 24, 10 miles northeast of Rushville and 5 miles southwest of Astoria. Parking will be around field edges.
Farm Info
Thanks to Our Partners
This work is also supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR233A750004G053.