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Higher Yields

Dec 28 2020

Benefits of a Pure Stand of Cover Crop Red Clover

December 28, 2020

by Dustin Johnson

I recently plowed under a successful stand of red clover in an organic wheat field on my farm near Kokomo, Indiana. I have grown alfalfa and mixed stands of hay as a cash crop for my entire career. Five years ago we began experimenting with organic grain production to try something new and take advantage of the synergies between organic grain farming and our existing hay business.

This was my first experience growing a pure stand of red clover. The main goal for the stand was nitrogen fixation for next year’s organic corn crop.

Along the way, I also gained a forage harvest, weed suppression, and soil health benefits. Please read further for a more in-depth discussion of my experience and the benefits that this time-proven practice can bring to your farm.

FROST SEEDING

On February 21st, I broadcasted 15 lbs/acre of red clover seed into my dormant wheat field. Frost seeding should take place near the end of winter when a period of nightly freezing and thawing is anticipated. The ground was frozen enough to hold up the tractor and the field contained a light dusting of snow. This helped me see the spread pattern of the clover seed.

Red clover is my personal first-choice when frost seeding: The seed is relatively inexpensive, clover can thrive underneath a crop canopy, it can be harvested for dry hay, and it works! Red clover seeds are heavy and round with a high level of seedling vigor. They naturally sort through material on top of the soil and fall into the “honeycomb” of soil cracks created by frost. This is the same process by which red clover stands naturally persist on road sides and barn lots.

If grazing is your primary goal, plant an improved species such as Bearcat or Gallant. White and berseem clover can also be successfully frost seeded for forage use. If you plan to exclusively grow it as a cover crop, sweetclover and mammoth red clover are also good choices.

Around the time my wheat broke dormancy, the red clover seedlings emerged. The frost seeded clover scavenged sunlight that filtered through the rows of wheat, but grew more slowly than the wheat and stayed beneath the wheat canopy. The presence of red clover in the wheat field did not interfere with the wheat’s ability to grow or be harvested. From the road, the wheat looked like a normal wheat field. Only after harvest was a carpet of green growing clover revealed.

FORAGE HARVEST

Once the wheat was harvested and the canopy opened to the red clover, it grew very quickly. I mowed the red clover for hay about a month after wheat harvest on August 19th. The clover was nearing full-bloom and the weather was right. The hay was mostly red clover, but also contained a few weeds and about 4” of wheat stubble. This medium-quality hay was the most fragrant, sweet-smelling hay that I have ever baled! Yield was also impressive: 2.3 dry tons/acre in a single harvest. Even priced modestly, this hay harvest was a significant boost to the profitability of my wheat crop.

COVER CROP VALUE

After taking a cutting of hay in August, I let the summer regrowth accumulate for a green manure to plow down. The regrowth was vigorous and thick. Weeds that had been present in the growing wheat were mowed before going to seed by the wheat and hay harvests. Newly germinated weeds could not compete with the established red clover. This certified organic field was nearly weed-free in late summer.

The clover bloomed again in September and was a haven for wildlife and pollinators.

In early December, I moldboard plowed this land and the red clover again showed its value. The clover was still actively growing and removing water from the soil. Areas of the field that did not have a good stand of clover were noticeably wetter. The clover taproots penetrated the plowing depth and prevented the wetter clay soils from “slabbing.” The pictures below show the loose friable soil created by the clover roots compared to an area of shallow-rooted grass sod plowed at the field edge.

Note the difference in the above plowed soil (with clover) vs. the soil below (no clover).

Those same roots will provide a soil health benefit below the plow layer as well. The clover taproots penetrated the soil much deeper than the plowing depth. The roots will help prevent a plow pan from holding water when they decompose this winter and drainage occurs in the old root channels.

The red clover has now begun to decompose within the soil profile and will be releasing nitrogen for my organic corn crop next spring. University sources estimate that a successful stand of red clover that is terminated after blooming can release 70 to 120 lbs of N per acre.

Now is the time to make preparations for frost seeding clover on your farm. Whether your goal is nitrogen fixation, improved pasture quality, or soil health, frost seeding clover this winter is an easy and cost-effective way to achieve big results.

Written by Dustin Johnson · Categorized: Cover Crop Benefits, Frost Seeding, Nitrogen from Cover Crops, Red Clover, Weed Suppression · Tagged: frost seeding, organic farming, red clover

Jul 08 2013

Results of Farmer Cover Crop Survey Conducted by SARE and CTIC

Folks,
If you want to see how cover crops provide a very good ROI across a wide geographic region then this report is for you!  Thanks to Rob Meyers from SARE and the folks at CTIC for conducting and publishing this survey.  It helps me to see that the results on our home farm (and many of your farms too) were duplicated over a broad area.

Cover crops REALLY help with yield :)
Cover crops REALLY help with increasing yield 🙂            (BTW, we are NOT really standing up.)

Here is Rob’s e-mail.  Check out the link to see the whole report.
We are releasing today the results of a farmer survey on cover crops that was conducted by SARE and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) this past winter.  A majority of the surveys were completed by farmers attending Midwest conferences this past winter but we also had some respondents to the online version of the survey from across the U.S.  The survey analysis and report development was completed by CTIC under a contract from North Central Region SARE.  Questions on the survey were developed with the input of MCCC steering committee members.  The report is available online at:  http://www.northcentralsare.org/CoverCropsSurvey
Key findings included the following:
  • During the fall of 2012, corn planted after cover crops had a 9.6% increase in yield compared to side-by-side fields with no cover crops.  Likewise, soybean yields were improved 11.6% following cover crops.
  • In the hardest hit drought areas of the Corn Belt, yield differences were even larger, with an 11.0% yield increase for corn and a 14.3% increase for soybeans.
  • Surveyed farmers are rapidly increasing acreage of cover crops used, with an average of 303 acres of cover crops per farm planted in 2012 and farmers intending to plant an average of 421 acres of cover crops in 2013.  Total acreage of cover crops among farmers surveyed increased 350% from 2008 to 2012.
  • Farmers identified improved soil health as a key overall benefit from cover crops.  Reduction in soil compaction, improved nutrient management, and reduced soil erosion were other key benefits cited for cover crops.  As one of the surveyed farmers commented, “Cover crops are just part of a systems approach that builds a healthy soil, higher yields, and cleaner water.”
  • Farmers are willing to pay an average (median) amount of $25 per acre for cover crop seed and an additional $15 per acre for establishment costs (either for their own cost of planting or to hire a contractor to do the seeding of the cover crop).
Please help us distribute this information to your colleagues and farmers in your region.
Rob Myers, Ph.D.
Regional Director – Extension Programs
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
University of Missouri
238 Ag Engineering Bldg.
Columbia, MO 65211-5200
Phone 573-882-1547
Email myersrob@missouri.edu
Web http://www.northcentralsare.org/

Written by Dave Robison · Categorized: Cover Crop Benefits, Cover Crop Research, Cover Crops - Return on Investment, Higher Yields, Soil Improvement · Tagged: corn, cover crops, Cover Crops enhance profitability, cover crops improve profitability, cover crops increase yields, soybeans

Dec 29 2012

Are Cover Crops Profitable to the Farmer?

Establishing the row crop into a cover crop is vital for success.  Very rarely do I see this as a problem as farmers do a great job of "precision planting" corn and soybeans.
Establishing the row crop into a cover crop is vital for success. Very rarely do I see this as a problem as farmers do a great job of “precision planting” corn and soybeans.

Cover Crops: Will I Get a Return on Investment

Over the past two months my brother Don Robison and I have had opportunities in Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin to share a presentation entitled “Return On Investment from Cover Crops.”  I will do the same in Ontario and Michigan over the next few weeks.

Sarah Carlson from Practical Farmers of Iowa told me that after Joel Gruver and I spoke in Iowa that farmers were leaving the presentation room excited and ready to plant more cover crops in 2013.  That gets me excited!

However, do cover crops always show extra profit for every producer in every field?  The answer is “no.”

Robison Farms Research Plots

In a previous post I shared data, along with the other interesting benefits, that we found in our long-term no-tilled soil – compared to the same soil with cover crop plots.

However, the real reason we did the research was to find out if we could be even more profitable when using cover crops with no-till instead of just long-term no-till.  What we found was a significant increase in profitability in each of our plots in 2012.

The net revenue on each cover crop species or mix was considerable on our farm in 2012.

The net revenue on each cover crop species or mix was considerable on our farm in 2012.  We used $5.75/bushel as the value of our corn.

 

The “worst” profit improvement was $41.78/acre and the “best” was $286.94/acre – impressive figures.

However, we did see additional benefits that may not always add this kind of improved profit:

  • increased earthworm activity
  • improved root mass and root depth
  • improved water infiltration
  • improved plant health

But these may not always add profit.

Other  $uccess Stories

Since the inception of Plant Cover Crops.com, many farmers I’ve gotten to know have had increased yields and profits.  Dave from Central Indiana has had very good success with improved profitability and improved soils.  Dave, from NW Ohio, has seen improved yields and profits following cover crops most years.

Others like Dan DeSutter, Rodney Rulon, Terry Taylor, Cameron Mills, and Larry Bonnell have had great success and continue to use cover crops more and more while refining their systems to fit their needs and management practices.

It is easy to see the area where the soybeans were planted into tilled ground over a new tile compared to the soybeans no-tilled  into winter cereal rye.
It is easy to see the area where the soybeans were planted into tilled ground over a new tile compared to the soybeans no-tilled into winter cereal rye.

Cover Crop Disappointments

As I said earlier, not every farmer will have success with cover crops every time.

Bob Ormiston,  from NW Indiana, recently e-mailed me about his 2012 experience.

Last year we had three fields of cereal rye which we sprayed about the time the rye was starting to head.  In two of the fields, we had worked new tile lines to level the ground and wiped out the cereal rye.  There was an enormous difference in the quality of the bean stand, and the no-rye tilled beans were significantly taller than the beans planted into the rye.  I think it is fair to say that in 2 of the 3 fields we took a 5-10 bpa yield hit because of the cereal rye.  The problem was very likely compounded by the crazy dry and hot weather.  The field with the best stand made 58 bpa.  The other two around 49.

Bob later commented,

The beans in the worked areas of the cereal rye had a much better stand and throughout most of the growing season they were taller.  They were all drilled with a JD no-till drill.  The rye was around 20 inches tall and starting to head.  The beans were planted about 1.25 inches deep.  Weed control was excellent and both glyphosate and Extreme were utilized.  To reiterate, I felt the perceived yield loss in 2 of our 3 bean fields was a direct result of the drought and high temps.  The 78 acre field that yielded 58 bpa received substantially more rain and generally had a much better stand than the other 2 fields.

Tom Burlingham from Wisconsin notes,

›Neighbors plot had 10 bu less corn per acre where there was radish cover after 2011 wheat. 75 vs 65. Three strip trial with UW Ext. (Under exceptionally dry conditions.)

Multi-Year Research from Iowa

A three year study done by Practical Farmers of Iowa has shown both improved yields AND also yield loss when following winter cereal rye with corn and soybeans. It is important to note that when yield was lost it was sometimes a failure to control the cover crop adequately.  However, that was not always the case – their 2010 corn yield following winter cereal rye was negatively impacted in each of their locations.

Conclusions

While cover crops have been the “hot topic” over the past 3-4 years we still have a lot to learn.

Some experienced cover croppers may scoff at losing yield and claim it is because only one species was used as a cover crop – that we all need to use “cocktail mixes.”

Others may say that using one species is all they are comfortable with managing.

Both groups might be correct in their thinking.  But each individual farmer must make his own choice of what he can deal with (or wants to deal with).  Bob Ormiston is investigating using Hairy Vetch and Crimson Clover with a grass mixture in 2013 before his 2014 corn crop.  My brother, Dad, and I are looking to do straight winter cereal rye before all of our soybeans in 2014.

Whatever choice a producer makes should always have a goal of improving the soil health.  If the soil is healthier, then usually a better, more profitable crop will follow.  But it does not always happen that way.  Like many things in life, patience and best management practices usually pay off – and most likely will always pay off in the long run.

I’m interested to hear about your experiences using cover crops. Have you seen a benefit? Have you struggled? You can share your thoughts below in the comment section or send me an email.

 

Written by Dave Robison · Categorized: Cover Crop Benefits, Cover Crop Challenges, Higher Yields, Lower Yields possible · Tagged: cereal rye, Challenges in drought years following cover crops, cover crops, Improve corn yields, Improved Soybean yields after Winter Cereal Rye, Lower Yields after cover crops, soil health, Soybeans after Winter Cereal Rye, stand establishment following cover crops, winter rye

Nov 01 2012

Followup in On-Farm Cover Crop Trial

The corn is now harvested at Robison Farms in rural Greenwood, IN and we are pleasantly surprised.

Accurate Yield Estimates

We actually achieved a somewhat higher yield than the hand check “guesstimate” that my brother Don and I made back in August.  We reported this yield in the blog post Cover Crops Provide Improved Corn Yields in On-Farm Trial .  The actual yield was 107 bushels per acre across the whole field and our estimate was in the  105+ bushels range.

This gives me confidence that the differentiation we showed in the yield in the different cover crops and cover crop mixes was pretty accurate.  As you will see on the blog post there were some mixes that yielded more than 50 bushels per acre better than the no-cover crop check.

Impressive Root Structure and Soil Moisture

Would the whole field have averaged 50 bushels per acre better if it had all been in cover crops in 2012? I doubt it.

But I think it would probably have been quite a bit better than what the field averaged without cover crops. Here’s why:

  • Better Root Growth
  • Greater Amount of Soil Moisture

One reason that I think there would have been a significant yield increase over the whole field is because of what Don and I found when we dug up some plants. We found more moisture and more roots where we had cover crops versus where we had no cover crops.

In the non-cover crop area:

  • We had to use a shovel and a pick-ax to dig.
  • The ground was exceptionally compacted, hard, and dry.

In the cover crop area:

  • We used just a shovel to dig.
  • We had much less compaction (in most areas).
  • It was distinctly more moist (like comparing a fairly dry sponge versus a sponge that had not been submerged in water for 2 months).

This corn plant was dug up in the area where we had a cover crop mix in mid-August 2012 under severe drought conditions.  Note the additional root and the moistness of the soil compared to the photo to the right.

 

This corn plant was dug from the non-cover crop check area with a pick-ax and shovel. The ground was compacted, hard, and very dry. It is amazing that the corn looked as good as it did!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Robison holding up a corn plant from the cover crop plot area that had Austrian Winter Peas and Radishes.  Look at the root-ball and moisture compared to the next photo.

Don is not working near as hard to hold this corn plant from the non-cover crop check area. The root ball was smaller and the soil was much drier. I’m not sure why Don was smiling. Most of the 50 acre field did not have cover crops! Like Dad would sometimes say, “get that smile off your face!”

Earthworms

As Don and I were digging in the areas where we had cover crops we were pleased to find earthworms. There were no earthworms to be found in the non-cover crop check area.

This field has been no-tilled for most of the last 20 years and we usually find earthworms, but it was so hot and dry that I assume the worms either died (fried) or went deep into cooler, more moist soil (this year that may have been 5-6 feet deep).  But again, we found some earthworms in the cover crop plot area.

In retrospect, we should have compared soil temperatures on the day we dug roots and took yield estimates.

An earthworm in the cover crop plot area. Though we did not see many in the plot area we saw none in the non-cover crop check area.

 

As dry as the summer of 2012 was, it was interesting to find earthworm activity in the area where we had the cover crop plots. There was no such activity evident in the non-cover crop check area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Takeaway Message from Robison Farms in 2012

  • Cover crops can increase corn yield even in very dry years.
  • Corn following cover crops consistently out yielded corn that was not following a cover crop in hand check yield estimates.
  • Hand check yield estimates were consistent to actual yield on the non-cover crop check.
  • Cover crops can help preserve soil moisture even in a severe drought.
  • Corn roots following cover crops appeared to be consistently larger and deeper than where there had not been a cover crop.
  • There was more earthworm activity in the cover crop areas.
  • There was less compaction in most cover crop plots compared to the non-cover crop check.

In a future post we will look at “Crop Health Imaging” maps that Beck’s Hybrids did for our farm.  These were taken a bit late in the season but they were still very interesting…and telling!

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Dave Robison · Categorized: Breaking Up Compaction, Cover Crop Benefits, Cover Crop Research, Higher Yields

Oct 11 2012

Cover Crops Increase Iowa Corn Yields

Cover crops are helping to increase yields in Iowa corn fields.  My friend Sarah Carlson from Practical Farmers of Iowa sent me the following testimonial from Eric Franzenburg from east central Iowa (about 1.5 hours east of Ames).

Eric Franzenburg has seen increased corn yields of 20-40 bushels per acre the past 3-4 years after using cover crops!

Thanks to Sarah and Eric for making this testimonial public.  I know that there are many other farmers that have seen similar results.  If you have and would like to share with the readers of plantcovercrops.com I’d greatly appreciate it!

Eric’s testimony:

I believe that the researcher from the article is on to something in regard to relieving drought stress (research I proposed on this blog).

I went out to do some yield checks on our conventional corn fields about a week ago to get an idea where we were.  One of the fields was seeded with fall rye earlier in the fall (September 1, 2011), followed by 3,000 gallons/A of hog manure (later in the fall). This spring we killed the rye with Roundup when the rye was over knee high, waited over 2 weeks to plant, tilled one pass with tandem disk-harrow, and planted later in May. It was the last field I planted.

I followed with a sidedress of 70 lbs at V6. This field will out-yield all other fields by 40 bpa.  The plant health is excellent, and I was telling Sarah that if you start poking around looking for rye residue it is virtually gone (not sure if this is good or bad).

We have been doing this same program for 4 years now and I am no longer worried about planting corn the third week of May under these conditions, especially after this year; this has been a very telling growing season. We are coming up with the same results 3 of the 4 years (yields 20-40 bu. higher).

I have been wondering what the mechanisms in the soil are that have given us these results.  While the scenario that the researcher has proposed sounds good, it does not sound like much work has been done to prove this out.

Written by Dave Robison · Categorized: Cover Crop Benefits, Higher Yields, Manure management · Tagged: best management practice, corn, cover crops, cover crops in Iowa, hog manure, increasing yields, nutrient management

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