Cover Crop Considerations. Charles Ellis Extension Natural Resource Engineer Lincoln County Extension Center

Transcription

1 Cover Crop Considerations Charles Ellis Extension Natural Resource Engineer Lincoln County Extension Center

2 Incorporating Cover Crops Do I have the capability and time to seed? Do I have the capability of timely termination? Do cover crops fit my management style? What cover crops work best in my rotation?

3 Benefits of Cover Crops Erosion reduction Providing Ground Cover Root Structure Slowing Water Movement Raise Soil Organic Matter Increase Water Infiltration Nutrient Scavenging/Retention

4 Cover Crop Benefits Can reduce nitrate loss by 30-60% Erosion reduction Increased infiltration. Runoff reduction

5 Precipitation/Run Shifts Increased fall precipitation. Increased precipitation intensity. Increased urbanization and runoff. River channelization.

6 Number of Daily Rainfall Events 3-inches in Missouri Data Source: NOAA/NCEI/Missouri Climate Center

7 Cost of Erosion Depth No-Till OM lb/ac inches ~ years ph % P205 Ca Mg K20 CEC 0-2 > Summary of 2.5 acre Grid Sampling from On Farm Research, Field located Whiteside, Lincoln County

8 Cost of Erosion/Runnoff Nutrient loss Sedimentation Water Quality Algae Bloom Hypoxic Zones Treatment Cost

9 Challenges of No-Till Can Cover Crops Supplement? Rill Erosion Development Over Time Residue Management Residue Management

10 No-Till Corn/Cereal Rye/Soybeans East Central Missouri Soils No Till System of corn/soybeans with rye cover between corn and soybeans. 2.6 tons/ac. to 1.8 tons/ac.

11 Corn/Soybeans/Cereal Rye East Central Missouri Soils No Till System of corn/soybeans with rye cover after soybeans. 2.6 tons/ac. to.8 tons/ac. Soils Exposed Between Soybeans and Corn

12 Corn/Soybean Rotation Tillage VS No-Till Menfro Soil

13 Corn/Soybean/ No-Till Rotation Add Cereal Rye After Corn & Beans Menfro Soil

14 Nitrogen And Cover Crops Supplier of Nitrogen Timing of Nitrogen Availability

15 Sensor Readings Greenseeker and Holland Scientific sensor Measures relative color and biomass.

16 Nitrogen Sidedress Rec. lb/ac N REC. Yield NO COVER 200 LBS N Ave RADISH 8 LBS/AC Ave ANNUAL RYEGRASS 16 LBS/AC Ave CRIMSON CLOVER 15 LBS/AC Ave BALANSA CLOVER 4 LBS/AC Ave CEREAL RYE 70 LBS/AC Ave NO COVER 0 LBS N Ave Plot Ave 84 bu/ac Cover Crop Plot's Ave Elsberry PMC

17 Challenges To Seeding Time Available Equipment Optimum Seeding Dates Variable Planting Conditions Difficulty of Planting into heavy residue.

18 Pike Co. IL Seeding Dates Midwest Cover Crops Council (Example)

19 Seeding Methods Aerial Inter seeding Broadcast during harvest Broadcast seeding after harvest. Broadcast and incorporate. Drill/Plant May use more than one seeding method.

20 Fast Timing Cost Aerial/Inter seeding Corn 50% sunlight hitting the ground. (Dry leaves up to the ear) Soybeans leaves beginning to yellow. Spreading Distribution Crop canopy Effectiveness Corn Soybeans

21 Interseeding into Soybeans Row Width Concerns 10 in. wide tires, 75 ft. spread width 2% field driven over

22 Broadcast After Harvest Fast Higher seeding rates resulting in increased cost. Possible delayed germination due to weather and residue. Seed may not reach the soil initially. Add to fertilizer Spread pattern Seed damage Works better with cereals

23 Broadcast and Incorporate Can be fast method. Incorporation can result in faster germination. Depth control? Typical cover crop seeding depth ¼-1/2 in.

24 Drill More time consuming Planting conditions Lower seeding rates and seed cost. Faster emergence Blends

25 Row Unit Seeding Planter adaptability Seeding rates Seed size and shape Better Seed Placement Faster Germination Seed Cost Reduction Single species seeding's may require planting on the contour.

26 Seeding at Harvest Would slow down harvest. Would work best with low seeding rates. Would seeding happen before or after chaffer. Larger combines may not be able to spread header width.

27 Spring Management Get killed in an timely manner Soil moisture management

28 Challenges of Cover Crops Spring Management Nutrient Management Crop Contamination

29 Herbicide Affects and Termination ps%20_2016.pdf

30 Potential Weed?

31 Considerations For Planting into High Residue Cover Crops Cover Crop Species Volume of residue Crop Being Planted Sensitivity of the crop to that environment Termination timing Soil Moisture Residue Amounts Planting Equipment Available

32 Cover Crop Residue Management One That Winter Kills One With Rapid Residue Break Down

33 Cover Crop Residue Management Killing Cover Crop Early Residue is Easier to Manage/Plant into. Soils May Dry Easier.

34 Cover Crop Residue Management Planting Into Heavy/Living Residues. Can be used to manage soil moisture prior to planting. May suppress weeds. May serve as a mulch for moisture conservation.

35 Residue Breakdown 4/16/15 5/5/15 5/29/15 35

36 Getting The Planter in the Ground Weight of the Planter. Down Pressure System. Number of Things in the Ground. Condition of the Row Unit. Closing System.

37 Planter Challenges Cutting Residue Preventing Hair-Pinning Getting Seed Trench Closed Variable Planting Conditions Avoiding Wrapping and Plugging

38 Questions? Charles Ellis Extension Natural Resource Engineer Lincoln County Extension Center