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 So what keeps farmers in Logan County from putting out a cover
crop for the winter months?
Timing and costs
The long, late season of corn and soybeans narrows the opportunity
for plants to get established before winter sets in.
Those few farms that practice dual production with livestock to
feed, and some organic systems where a cover crop provides a
compounded circular feed and/or fertilizer, may benefit most from a
secondary harvestable crop. But for others, on the face of it, it
carries a measurable expenditure with no end of season cash back.
Benefits to field only producers (no livestock)
- Improved soil health - through increased organic matter,
aeration, drainage
- Supplement nutrients - such as N by roots capturing
nutrients and drawing upward, and through decomposed residues.
- Erosion control - root systems hold in place, plant canopies
prevent direct disruption.
- Nematode and other soil pests control - through biochemical
releases and improved sustained soil moisture.
Crop consultant Dr. Bill Becker places his focus on the
health of the soil. He says the most important relationship to
yield is organic matter in the soil. He also identifies
attaining highest yields in the relationship between roots and
grain, more healthy roots, more grain produced. His research
focuses on improving structure through increasing organic matter
and improving soil structure through usage of cover crops and
modified tillage practices. Those primary steps when added to
balancing nutrients lowers other cost inputs, while increasing
yields.
In a time of narrow profit margins such as we have now, who
would risk the added expense, why and how?
Atlanta farmer Doug Thompson put in oats and radish seed for the
first time just last fall. He did it as "one of my enhancement
practices under the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program."
"I participated in an excellent program sponsored by the IL Corn
Growers in which they provided the cover crop seed and aerial
application for a reduced cost. This was to encourage us
first-timers," he said.
Thompson's goals were to protect the soil from erosion, scavenge
residual soil nitrogen, enhance soil structure, breakup soil
compaction, and help with weed control in the following crop.
Thompson's fields typically have winter residue cover – untilled
corn stalks to be followed by no-till soybeans and soybean
stubble that has only had tillage for anhydrous ammonia
application.
He chose a corn field with slopes that can erode. "I feel the
higher residue of the cover crop will be more manageable in a
soybean crop following it, rather than a corn crop," he said.
The results
Thompson used a recommended a mix of radish and oats and nearly
all the seed grew. Radish takes just a few days to sprout. The
aerial cast seed went on in Aug 2016. A good stand was in place
before winter, he said.
"This was a rather exceptional year, as I understand that in
many years, lack of timely rain has resulted in a sparse cover
crop stand," he said. If soils are dry, it is recommended that
the seed be cast by planter.
Would Thompson recommend cover cropping as beneficial and
cost effective?
Thompson noted one already evidenced advantage of the
oats/radish mix that he used, both crops winter-kill. There is
no need to terminate the cover crop with tillage or herbicide
prior to planting the grain crop. "I’ve had a long-term practice
of no-till soybeans and strip-till corn. I anticipate no change
in this as I add cover crops to the mix," he said.
He says, "I have no hard data yet, but the excellent cover crop
stand this last fall was an encouragement that success might be
measured over the next couple years on that field.
[to top of second column] |
 "The environmental benefits must also be considered when
measuring the return from cover crops. They may be one step that
will help us to reduce nutrient loss and avoid greater regulation of
our farming practices.
"One of my hesitations with cover crops is that they add some amount
of management (and sometimes risk) to your cropping system. I think
that starting slow and learning from the experiences of other
farmers is the best way to deal with these extra burdens," Thompson
concluded. Locally, Holzwarth Flying Service offers a full range
of agricultural aerial application services, which includes sowing
cover crops.
Asked if the same producers return year after year, Stephanie Heyen
said, "Yes, we do see repeat customers." The type seed sown differs
depending on the location of the fields and the soil type.
If it is a government program (usually five years in length) they
will repeat the process from year to year, or if it is being used
for cattle to graze they may do the same fields year to year.
There is a big advantage to aerial seeding when it comes to timing
and cover crops. "We are able to fly the seed into the standing
crop. This allows for more growth time in favorable temperatures and
more light hours. This encourages strong growth and can allow for
better root systems to develop," Heyen aptly points out.
 Also, with aerial application there is no damage done to the current
crop. Additionally Heyen says, "We are able to apply in wet
conditions, and we can apply a large amount of acres in a short
period of time.
Holzwarth Flying Service operates out of three central Illinois
locations including the Logan County Airport. Heyen invites
producers, "Call us for any questions or to discuss your
agricultural needs." The Lincoln phone is 217-735-3592.
The combination of two to three different seeds is recommended
commonly including: radish, turnips, buckwheat, winter peas, cereal
rye, annual ryegrass, oats, triticale, crimson clover and hairy
vetch
Options are in accordance to goals:
- Increased organic matter, enhance no till and prevent
erosion
- Nitrogen fixation or nutrient recapture
Reduce soil compaction
- Tolerant and improve droughty soils or wet soils
- Weed or nematode control
- Provide forage/graze/harvestable livestock feed
Consult your favorite seed dealer to come up with what would
meet your needs and look for a government program to help if you
are a newbie to cover crops.
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