Photo credit: Edwin Remsberg and USDA-SARE
By Erez Brandvain, Conservation Technician
As the end of another growing season approaches, cover crop season is upon us! Now is the time to pull out the seeders, drills, and broadcast equipment, or make sure that all is in line if you plan on having your cover crops flown on. Cover crops are a fantastic method of keeping soil in place, while providing many other benefits. Below, you'll learn about the benefits cover crops provide, as well as things to consider when selecting a single species or mix for your land.
When thinking about cover crops, it is important to consider the present seedbank, nematodes, and potential for unwanted pests. If your current crop rotation has minimum weed seeds present, make sure that your planned cover crop will not create conditions appropriate for new weed establishment. Additionally, be certain that your selected cover crop will not create or continue to present conditions conducive to host organisms that can introduce disease. A common example of this is using a brassica cover crop following a brassica summer crop (forage turnips have rightfully become popular). In this scenario, both crops are brassicas, and any previously existing disease or pest can easily continue thriving with the introduction to a plant of the same family. One last point to consider is termination timing. Managing soil fertility, particularly carbon to nitrogen ratios is critical. Cereal rye, for example, can become overly mature and increase the carbon to nitrogen ratio critical for early corn growth.
With these considerations in mind, the benefits to cover crops are countless, critical coverage for bare soil in the non-growing stages of the season, soil fertility improvements, and weed suppression are just a few! The following are more benefits of cover cropping:
If you have any questions about what cover crop may work for you, the rate that is necessary, what mix could make the most sense, or any other cover crop related questions, the Washtenaw County Conservation District is here to help. We have the tools and the resources and are here to share those with you! Contact our Conservation Technician Erez at erez@washtenawcd.org or 734.302.8713
By Erez Brandvain, Conservation Technician
As the end of another growing season approaches, cover crop season is upon us! Now is the time to pull out the seeders, drills, and broadcast equipment, or make sure that all is in line if you plan on having your cover crops flown on. Cover crops are a fantastic method of keeping soil in place, while providing many other benefits. Below, you'll learn about the benefits cover crops provide, as well as things to consider when selecting a single species or mix for your land.
When thinking about cover crops, it is important to consider the present seedbank, nematodes, and potential for unwanted pests. If your current crop rotation has minimum weed seeds present, make sure that your planned cover crop will not create conditions appropriate for new weed establishment. Additionally, be certain that your selected cover crop will not create or continue to present conditions conducive to host organisms that can introduce disease. A common example of this is using a brassica cover crop following a brassica summer crop (forage turnips have rightfully become popular). In this scenario, both crops are brassicas, and any previously existing disease or pest can easily continue thriving with the introduction to a plant of the same family. One last point to consider is termination timing. Managing soil fertility, particularly carbon to nitrogen ratios is critical. Cereal rye, for example, can become overly mature and increase the carbon to nitrogen ratio critical for early corn growth.
With these considerations in mind, the benefits to cover crops are countless, critical coverage for bare soil in the non-growing stages of the season, soil fertility improvements, and weed suppression are just a few! The following are more benefits of cover cropping:
- Soil erosion prevention: As previously mentioned, cover crops hold soil in place. After harvest of low residue crops, soil becomes exposed. Rain, wind, and snowmelt are all elements that can lead to soil erosion. However, with soil coverage and established roots, the amount of soil loss is greatly reduced.
- Improved soil organic matter: If used consistently, a cover crop program will increase soil organic matter. Cover crops strengthen aggregate stability making soil habitats more hospitable to microorganisms. This activity, in turn, increases biological activity, and ultimately allows for organic matter to increase as a result of decomposition and life cycles beneath the soil surface.
- Nutrient storage: It is common for producers to apply fertilizer or manure following a harvest, and while this presents enormous benefits to soil fertility, significant runoff occurs without cover crops in place to provide soil coverage. The root system of a cover crop will store nutrients and mineralized organic nitrogen, in turn, reducing nutrient runoff and leaching.
If you have any questions about what cover crop may work for you, the rate that is necessary, what mix could make the most sense, or any other cover crop related questions, the Washtenaw County Conservation District is here to help. We have the tools and the resources and are here to share those with you! Contact our Conservation Technician Erez at erez@washtenawcd.org or 734.302.8713
