Plant Cover Crops

Learning about the benefits of planting cover crops.

soybeans

Advancing Cover Crop Adoptions Research Agenda

Advancing Cover Crop Adoptions Research Agenda

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Will corn planted after cover crops consistently out-yield corn planted without cover crops? Research has shown some nice advantage in areas. More research should give farmers more confidence in cover cropping.

Sarah Carlson, Midwest Cover Crop Research Coordinator with  Practical Farmers of Iowa and Ryan Stockwell, Agriculture Program
Manager with the National Wildlife Federation have written an agenda that will help researching cover crops be more scientific over the next six to eight years.   The research agenda is published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
ISSN: 2152-0801 online www.agdevjournal.com

Here is the abstract of this aggressive agenda:

Copyright © 2013 by New Leaf Associates, Inc.
Abstract
Given certain ecologic and agronomic characteristics of conventional corn and soybean monocultures, cropping systems reliant solely on these two commodities inevitably lose soil and nutrients.  Leaky cropping systems not only hamper society with negative externalities, but also erode the very natural resources needed to produce food and sustain civilization. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), state agriculture department staff, farmer organizations, agribusiness leaders, and conservation and environmental organizations now see cover crops as a solution to reduce the negative externalities of conventional row-crop agriculture. Farmers are asking for increased agronomic and economic research to help them understand the benefits of and implement the use of cover crops. Researchers for the most part are not keeping up with farmers’ innovations on cover crops nor on providing the information sought by farmers. This article outlines the questions farmers are asking about cover crops and provides suggestions to agronomists, soil scientists, and researchers on research topics to best answer those questions. Additionally, social scientists must initiate a new round of research to understand the underlying concerns farmers have with cover crops and help to define the information (both content and source) that best informs and influences farmers. This article outlines specific issues and questions social scientists can research to contribute to the advancement of more sustainable farming practices and, in particular, cover crops.

Keywords
adoption, climate change, cover crops, diversity, externalities, innovation, natural resources, nutrient loss, resilience

You can find the complete paper here.

 

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/

Cover Crops Provide Improved Corn Yields in On-Farm Trial

All of what is reported below was accomplished after only one year of cover crops.  This work was inspired by a conversation Don and I had last winter with Dr. Eileen Kladivko from Purdue University.  As I say in cover crop meetings,

Don’t expect a miracle the first year – but look for one.

Over the exceptionally dry and super hot late-spring/summer months of 2012 my brother Don Robison collected “plant-health” related data on our corn field at Robison Farms near Greenwood, IN.  Don took data on the corn  from each area of the cover crop plot we planted last fall over the top of a soybean field as well in the “check area” (no cover crop area).

The data he took throughout the summer included plant chlorophyll readings, plant height, and compaction readings.  I presented some of the chlorophyll data on the CropLife Webinar and at several cover crop meetings this summer (and more is posted below).

On August 15th Don and I took hand harvested yield checks from each area and from the check area.   The data on the corn yield was almost identical to what we found with the chlorophyll data and compaction data. Where we had the healthier plants all season long (more “green-ness” and deeper roots) we had higher yields.

To figure yield we utilized this formula we found at a Purdue University agronomy website.

Each cover crop treatment out yielded the “no cover crop check”. The top three yielding plots also had the least compaction and highest chlorophyll readings through out the drought stricken summer.  The check plot yield was 105.24 bushels per acre.  The top yield estimate was 164.82 bushels per acre.

 

The area where the plot was had a 24″ water line was installed by the county in 2009; so it was intended to be a “rescue disturbed soil trial”.  The corn was not harvested directly over the water line but it was where the soil from the water line was mixed in with the top soil.  In 2011 the field was in Soybeans and yielded 48 bushels/acre.  In 2010 the field was corn and yielded 198 bushels/acre.  The whole field has been no-tilled for most of the past 20 years (there were some years with conventional tillage done – mainly in the early 90’s).  175 Units of N were applied (100 units (28%) with the chemical burn down application early season and 75 units side dressed (28%) in early May).

Rainfall from May 1 to July 31 was 2.24″ (with only 0.75 from May 1 to July 19).  There were 42 days over 90 degrees and 8 days over 100 degrees during that time.  All time record dry and heat was recorded in July, 2012 in the area.

Don took chlorophyll readings weekly (one week missed in July due to a family vacation).  He took 30 chlorophyll readings per plot per sampling date.  He also took multiple plant height readings each time as well.  He followed the manufacturers instructions on the chlorophyll readings and penetrometer tests.  Don spent a lot of time in this field so we could all have this data!  Thanks to The CISCO Companies for providing the seed, equipment, and Don’s labor to collect this data.

 

This chart shows the percentage above the no cover crop area (the “check”) compared to the different cover crop mixes. The two comparisons on the far right are from a soybean study we ran where we had cover crops two consecutive years compared to one year (more data and a post coming soon on this study).

Observations:

  • The plot areas that rated healthier (more green-ness and taller) yielded the best.
  • The plots areas where there was less compaction yielded the best
  • The plots with annual ryegrass did not fare as well as some others in this drought year – yet was still considerably above the check.
  • Not all plots with radish were “top” yielding – however two of the top three yielding plots had legumes plus radish.
  • Plots with legumes were generally healthier all season long and their yield reflected that.
  • I doubt that the whole field will average over 100 bushels/acre.  As with all hand yield tests they are estimates but I believe that the comparison is very accurate.
  • The Austrian Winter Peas, Crimson Clover, and Appin Turnips overwintered “beautifully” and were growing aggressively when sprayed at burndown.
  • There was a considerable amount of earthworm activity in the cover crop area but only a few earthworms were found in the “check” area. That is unfortunate because 2 acres were covered and 48 acres were not!
  • There were more corn roots in the plot areas we dug vs. the check area (watch for a new post coming on this soon).
  • There was more moisture in the soil where the cover crop plots were compared to the check area.
  • The soil structure was considerably better in each cover crop plot vs. the check area.
Don recorded over 180 chlorophyll readings in each cover crop plot and check plot over the summer.

 

The check plot had 175 units of nitrogen plus the whole field had been soybeans the previous year. While the annual ryegrass blend plot was above the check all season long it was not up to the desired level until after the July 19 rain event.

 

The plot with the Oats and Rye and Appin Turnips was impressive most of the spring and summer. It was at or above the desired rating until August. It was very impressive right after the July rain event and that is possibly why it had the second highest estimated yield. By the way, the turnips did live through the winter.
All season long I was convinced that the plot where the Austrian Winter Peas and Radish were was going to have the highest yield based on the data shown above (and plant height readings). It beat the second place entry by less than 1/2 bushel in the yield estimate.

Cover Crops in the Great Plains – a view from a long time cover crop user- Part 1

I’ve had the privilege of meeting a gentleman from Kansas named Paul Conway.  Paul is an avid “cover cropper” and he has been for nearly 20 years! Paul reminds me of my father, who was an early pioneer of no-till (over 40 years of no-tilling on our farms).  I have asked Paul to give a more western feel to this blog since he has a different perspective on some of the cover crops that work well in the Great Plains that I typically don’t share.  I will be using Paul’s writings with his full permission.

In this post I will share Paul’s perspective on how and where cover crops fit in different systems.  Again, these are Paul’s views from his perspective, of which I find myself agreeing with.

Vegetables:  Using cover crops is vital for long term sustainable vegetable production.  Vegetables are fertility hogs. Intensive vegetable production will ruin soils no matter how much fertilizer you use. Fortunately the quick maturity and low residue of most vegetables allows many opportunities for the use of cover crops, more so than with field crops.

This is good and bad news. The variety of choices can overwhelm growers who want simple answers.  Use manure whenever possible in vegetable production to build organic matter especially when used with the cover crop grasses such as sorghum-sudan, grain rye, annual ryegrass, etc.

There are many opportunities for cover crops in both conventional and organic cropping, actually more so than in field crops.

Traditional field crop systems:  By this I mean the 1940-50’s ideal of animal husbandry and cash crops on the same farm supported by a varied rotation of row crops, small grains, and forage legumes (either alone or with grasses).  Cover crops are useful but not vital, as the rotation and manure application keeps the production system going.  Cover crops allow modifications to the rotation. Also annual warm and cold season grazed cover crops saves money and further diversifies the rotation.

Modern monoculture field crop systems: Corn and soybeans aren’t much of a rotation since they are both row crop summer annuals.  Cover crops are vital to long term sustainable field crop production since they essentially mimic the effects of a decent rotation as well as provide the agronomic benefits that you are well aware of.  Cover crops are easier to use if small grains are added to the rotation.

Grazing: Grazing warm season as well as cool season cover crops is a direct financial benefit of cover crops, as opposed to the recognized indirect financial benefits and adds diversity to the rotation.

 

A Note from Paul Conway about who he is and about his experiences:

I grew up mostly overseas and I have gardened all my life.  When I was a teenager I worked on farms in the summer.  I retired from the US Army in 1993 and started my market garden to grow vegetables commercially.  I have done this ever since except for 17 months in 2006-7 when I was recalled to active duty and sent to Iraq.

I have farmed organically since 1993. I was organically certified from 1994 until 2004 when I switched to Certified Naturally Grown, a certifier more friendly to small scale local market vegetable growers.  

I should say that organic farming does not work unless you pay almost fanatic attention to building and maintaining healthy soil. This means good crop rotations with a mix of row crops, small grains, and forages.  You must use manure (if available) and cover crops/green manures.  The degree of mix between the two is complex and farm dependent.  Simply switching to organically approved inputs without a good soil building rotation will not produce good yields.

Also, thanks to Paul for serving the USA in the armed services!

Cover Crop Stand Evaluation Taken to a New Level

This handy tool is a great way to tell producers about the agronomics of their crops.

I have learned so much about cover crops since I started this blog in 2010.  One of my hopes has been that I could have guest bloggers that would occasionally share with everyone what their experiences have been.  The following post is from Daryl Starr of Advanced Ag Solutions in Indiana.

I really appreciate reading Cover Crop Dave’s blog posts and had to send him an email after a recent one about aerial seeding success this fall.  We work with several great farmers that use cover crops as part of their no-till crop plan and noticed more than just a few beautiful stands this fall.  One of these stands I had the good fortune of mapping with a new tool in our business, called the Greenseeker NDVI sensor.  This tool allows us to quickly map the “green-ness,” for lack of a better word, of any plant material.

On Nov 18, 2011 I ran an ATV over this field of annual ryegrass that was flown into standing corn in central Indiana.  Our hope is that mapping of cover crops will help us predict the nitrogen release of various areas of the field so that we can adjust for future cash crops.   Of course we will map the actual crops too, but sometimes a map of an actively rooting cover crop might tell us more about the soil profile than a very young corn plant.  At least that is what we hope to compare next spring!

One of the most interesting things about this map is that the soils don’t necessarily match up exactly to the cover crop lushness. From driving it there were certainly areas that the airplane intentionally missed, like the far east side border…trying to keep it off the neighbor.  Then, I noticed only a couple areas that were accidentally missed… actually less than 1 acre in a whole 130 acre field like this.  Then, I could see how sometimes the low ground had a great stand because of thin corn stands due to spring ponding and more light (see Dave’s post on this topic).

And then there were hill tops with good stands because of what I would guess was earlier plant death because of summer drought (again, check out Dave’s post). I don’t know that this exactly correlates with nitrogen but I can tell you that early death or thinner stands would take up less nitrogen, so it might.

Either way this map gives us something else to help understand the crop responsiveness to additional nitrogen while a map of the actual crop would tell us more exactly.  It certainly is more variable than what appeared to be a beautiful and perfectly even stand from the road.

Keep sharing your experiences, Dave!

 

Daryl Starr, President

Advanced Ag Solutions

This map shows how well the cover crop was established when it was flown into standing corn in 2011. Daryl will also use it in 2012 to evaluate the cash crop when it is growing.

1405 Fairfax Drive

Lafayette, IN 47909

Toll Free: 888-512-4890

Mobile: 765-265-6767

Email: Daryl@AdvancedAgSolutions.com

www.AdvancedAgSolutions.com