LITITZ, Pa., Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cover Crop Solutions LLC, a leading cover crop seed producer and agronomic solutions company, announces Dr. Tracy Blackmer has been named the company's Director of Research. Dr. Blackmer will lead cover crop, soil health and related scientific research projects throughout the Midwest, as well as other parts of North America.

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Dr. Blackmer's professional background includes holding a range of research positions, including Director of Research, Iowa Soybean Association; Technical Manager, Farm Optimization, Monsanto Corporation; and Soil Scientist for USDA-ARS at the University of Nebraska, among other positions.

Eric Weaver, Cover Crop Solutions Chief Operating Officer, sees Dr. Blackmer's addition as important to the company's growth. "We welcome Tracy to the Cover Crop Solutions team and value his experience and expertise in helping Midwest farmers improve their operations through his agronomic work with corn, soybeans and with water quality issues. With today's focus on cover crops as tools for improving soil health, reducing input and maintaining high yields, Tracy's ability to quantify results and report them in ways that are meaningful to growers will further improve our educational and product development programs."

Blackmer is excited with the opportunities in his new position. "Cover Crop Solutions is on the forefront of what I and many others believe is a huge shift in the way farming is done in North America. For example, since 2006 the acres planted with cover crops in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have increased from 12% to 52%.

"I am pleased to join the efforts of researchers, ag business, farmers and conservationists that share the goal to further expand the adoption of cover crops around the country. To increase this adoption, we need to continue to develop and better position solutions for the wide range of farming conditions that exist in different parts of the country.

"After working on nutrient related issues in many states, I believe that proper use of cover crops is a major tool for improving nutrient management, and has additional benefits for the grower. Today's growers and consultants are collecting more data than ever before to improve productivity and efficiency in their operations. This is an unparalleled opportunity to use this data and information to target the use of various cover crop strategies to help improve the soil, catch and release nutrients, increase yield and grow additional feed stocks.

I look forward to building on the research and strategies that Cover Crop Solutions has developed, and further expanding alliances with the many research and practitioner partners also engaged in this area. I believe Cover Crop Solutions in uniquely focused on not only providing seed, but developing the seed needed for a wide range of different cover crop strategies identified from both academic research and farmer experience. This is an opportunity to develop cover crop systems tailored to the specific needs of an individual grower."

For more information: CoverCropSolutions.com

SOURCE Cover Crop Solutions LLC

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