Plant Cover Crops

Learning about the benefits of planting cover crops.

aerial application of cover crops into soybeans

New articles out on Cover Crops in the Upper Midwest

During the week of March 18-21 I spoke at the Legacy Seeds Cover Crop Meetings to over 150 people in three Wisconsin towns

Appin Turnips make an outstanding cover crop and forage crop too!
Appin Turnips make an outstanding cover crop and forage crop too.

about cover crops.  During each meeting I showed why folks should consider using cover crops (erosion control, nutrient management, compaction reduction, aeration/infiltration, etc…).  I also implored producers to be creative about applying cover crops (aerial application, Hi-boy type spreaders, maybe interseeding into short corn, etc…).  Lastly I showed how many farmers are reporting increased profitability by using  cover crops.

Many farmers attending the meetings had at least some experience with cover crops and those that talked to me personally had very good experiences.  It was fun to talk to farmers that are excited about both soil health and profitability.

At the meeting in Sparta, Agri-View Newspaper Crops Editor, Jane Fyksen was present and taking notes for a story she was writing for the publication.  Jane did a great job in her reporting of what I said.  I want to share those articles with you.  The first article is entitled “Finding a cover crop mix to fit every need” and the second one is entitled “Aerial and overseeding of cover crops: Making it work“.

I have conducted over 40 cover crop talks this year from Omaha to Ontario and from Syracuse, NY to Chippewa Falls, WI.  I am amazed how far this cover cropping idea has come.  I am also very excited to see what will happen in another 8-10 years.

I cannot wait for warmer temperatures so we can see what cover crops survived this past record setting-cold winter.
I cannot wait for warmer temperatures so we can see what cover crops survived this past record setting-cold winter.

 

 

 

 

When to apply cover crops into soybeans

For some time I have promoted aerial applying cover crops into standing cash crops.  We have a pretty definitive maturity set for corn when it comes to aerial application.

But there is some question of when to fly cover crops into soybeans.  The range of discussion on this topic usually goes from 50% yellow leaf to 50% leaf drop.  The main goal from both viewpoints is sunlight reaching the soil to benefit the young seedlings.

To plant at 50% yellow leaf stage usually gains a farmer an extra 7-10 days of cover crop growth.  However, applying at 50% leaf drop assures better exposure to the sunlight for the seedlings.  I think that both options are excellent choices because I have seen both work very well. One thing we know for sure on the timing is that if the soybeans are still green over much of the field then the producer will have to wait for the beans to mature more.

This field was aerial applied on September 16. It was approximately 50% yellow leaf. The beans were planted in 7" rows. The cover crops in this field look very good.

 

Is it ever too early to apply when the soybeans are at 50% yellow leaf? Possibly – but when?

  • When planting into narrow rows (7-8″ rows) it seems that we might want to wait until the soybeans are more mature.
  • When there is great variation in the field.  It’s not uncommon to find “pockets” in the field that are still quite green when the rest of the field is more yellow.  When this happens I’d suggest waiting to apply until the vast majority of the field is yellowing. In the area where the soybeans are green there will be considerably less cover crop established.
  • If the soybeans are maturing earlier  and you are waiting for moisture (like in 2010) then waiting seems to make economic and agronomic sense. If it stays dry up until harvest then consider waiting until after harvest and incorporate the cover crops into the soil (by drilling or using a light “vertical tillage” after the cover crops have been spread).

 

Patience is often very rewarding.  Being patient to aerial apply cover crops into soybeans most often gives great rewards!

 

 

The left half of the photo above had been in 30" soybean rows. The right half had been beans in 7" rows. When aerial applying into soybeans planted in 7" rows be sure that the soybeans are around 75% yellow leaf and possibly at 50% leaf drop stage for the best establishment success.

 

This field needs to be more mature before aerial applying cover crops. In this situation the cover crop would be less likely to establish well.