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Company promotes good stewardship and agricultural practices with cover crops and buffer strips
SALINAS, Calif. – November 26, 2012 – Wilbur-Ellis Company, a recognized leader in the distribution and marketing of plant protection, seed and nutritional products, is now offering cover crop seed and planting services to central coast California farmers to support their stewardship efforts in water quality compliance plans, and adherence to sound agronomic practices. To assist growers in their farm plans, Wilbur-Ellis invested in a specialty, no-till planter capable of planting both buffer strips and cover crops.
“Today’s growers face so many challenges, including food safety, regulatory mandates, and production needs. We are offering proactive solutions and services relating to water quality management,” said Joel Wiley, Wilbur-Ellis area manager. “Today’s cover crop strategies need to take into consideration disease host, nutrient conservation, soil erosion filtering and stability, and regulatory needs. Another factor to consider is the energy required to incorporate the mature cover crop as you prepare the soil for subsequent crop rotation. Winter triticale is one cover crop offering many positive attributes with minimal hindrance to growing vegetable crops.”
Storm water runoff from winter fallow fields transport valuable nutrients and soil matter into waterways. Planting cover crops and buffer strips around the edges of fields provides beneficial plant material residue, minimizes runoff, and promotes good agricultural stewardship practices that protect and improve the environment.
“TRIOS/888 triticale variety from Syngenta is available through Wilbur Ellis Company Retail Branches. It offers low-growing foliage with leafy, flat stems so it is particularly well-suited for planting both field and perimeter buffer zones and in-furrow within the field to help reduce water runoff,” said David West, retail business representative for Syngenta based in Clovis, Calif. “The deeply penetrating roots of TRIOS/888 triticale help recycle nutrients back into the soil to be used by crops in the future, as well as increase water infiltration into the soil.”
However, many farmers do not have the specialized equipment needed for in no-till or minimal tillage cropping systems that avoid intensive soil prep which can result in nutrient runoff or soil erosion.
“We would like to help these growers with a progressive program that includes planting a cover crop to reduce surface runoff that will not impede their current farming practices,” said Derek Winn, Wilbur-Ellis regional seed manager. “I believe that many of the challenges facing growers in this region can be solved with a good, solid plan. Our planting services will enable more growers to incorporate cover crops and buffer strips into their water quality compliance plans.”
About Wilbur-Ellis Company
Founded in 1921, Wilbur-Ellis is a leading international marketer and distributor of agricultural products, animal feed and specialty chemicals and ingredients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments and capitalizing on new opportunities, Wilbur-Ellis has continued to grow its business with sales now over $3 billion.
For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com