Key Considerations for Cover Crop Success This Fall
With harvest starting later than usual across much of the Corn Belt, growers interested in cover crops have a limited opportunity to establish species before temperatures cool.
Growers facing harvest delays need to consider if decreased benefits from delayed establishment could outweigh the cost of implementing cover crops. Cover crops need to be planted with enough time to establish fall growth and overwinter or provide enough biomass to stabilize the soil before being killed by frost.
On the other hand, the predicted warm, wet fall means soils are at risk of nitrification for a longer period after the crop is off, increasing the likelihood of nutrient leaching. Cover crops can provide even more nutrient sequestration benefits in years like this one.
That means farmers must evaluate fields on a case-by-case basis, considering current and forecasted weather, cover crop mix, and planting strategies. There won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution this season.
“A big consideration is what you’ll be planting after the crop,” said Mark Jeschke, Pioneer agronomy manager. “Cereal rye is commonly used ahead of soybeans, and other winter hardy species make more sense ahead of corn.”
Cover crops can potentially reduce erosion as well as improve soil structure, soil biological activity, nutrient sequestration and weed suppression. Selecting the right species is crucial to achieving the desired benefits and management requirements, and mixing species can address multiple goals with a single pass:
- Winter hardy grasses produce a lot of biomass and aid in carbon sequestration and soil stabilization but require spring termination to not compete with the next crop.
- Oats and other non-winter hardy grasses establish quickly and winter kill, making them a simpler option ahead of corn.
- Brassicas can help address compaction with deep taproots and can break down quickly in the spring after below freezing temperatures.
- Legumes can provide nitrogen but must be allowed to grow later into the spring, which may interfere with cash crop seeding.
Growers should also consider whether a cover crop species is a host for problematic pests or diseases as part of an integrated pest management strategy.
Planting: Consider Taking to the Skies
Ideally, cover crops would be seeded with a drill after harvest, but in wet years with a late harvest, timely planting can be a challenge. Another option for seeding cover crops is aerial or broadcast seeding, which means choosing a cover crop species that does not need good seed-to-soil contact. This can be effective for establishing cover crops when fields are wet after harvest.
“It’s going to be a year when drilling your cover crops is going to be difficult, but aerial seeding should be successful due to the amount of moisture available to help seeds germinate and grow from the soil surface,” said Sara Lira, Vylor cropping systems lead.
When selecting cover crops, growers should match species and management practices to their objectives. Starting with a simple program and building experience over time can help maximize benefits while minimizing challenges.
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