soil health – cover crops – relay cropping
DESCRIPTION
Presentation by Tim Semler, NDSU Extension Service agent, Bottineau County. This slideshow was part of the 2011 NDSU Feedlot School.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
SOIL HEALTH – COVER CROPS – RELAY CROPPING
Sustainable Agriculture in North Dakota
Tim Semler – Extension Agent
Farm Business Management
1
![Page 2: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
As a crop producer only – Why grow a cover crop (CC)? CC pros:
• Prevented Planting or sizeable wet areas• Plant growth feeds soil organisms and
keeps soils active and “healthy”• Idled/fallowed soil organisms like Rhizobia
and Mycorrhriza will go to “sleep”• Utilize excessive moisture – allows soil
salts to leach deeper into profile• CC - legumes will “fix” nitrogen
2
![Page 3: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Cover Crop Pros cont’d.
• Tap-rooted CC plants may bring deeper soil nutrients closer to soil surface (P-K-S)
• Tap-rooted CC can break-up clay pans • Improve soil organic matter content• Provide high quality late season grazing
for cattle and sheep• What are your goals from a Cover Crop?
3
![Page 4: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Cover Crop Cons
• Certain seed mixes can use up existing fertility – are they a good trade-off?
• Crop Insurance limitations ??• Differences between PP & Failed Acres• Prevent Plant – cannot harvest until Nov. 1• Cover Crop Choice affects residue left in
field next spring – No-Till operations
4
![Page 5: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
2010 CC Seed Costs ?
• Purple Top Turnip - $2.37/#• Pasja Radish - $3.73/#• YB Sweetclover - $2.37/#• Red Clover - $2.37/#• Grain Millet - $0.32/#• Hay Millet - $0.56/#• Field Peas - $0.07/# (bin run)• Barley - $0.10/#• Oats - $0.14/#
5
![Page 6: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Cover Crop Considerations
• Reason?• Cost? Mix your own or Custom Blend?• Time of year to seed?• Choice of warm season vs. cool season• Seeding rate• Pre-seeding weed control• Graze or Not?
6
![Page 7: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
POTENTIAL SEED RECIPESNot “gospel” !
Radish – 2# Canola – 3#Radish – 2#
Turnips – 2# Bly/Oats – 30#Turnip – 2#
Bly/Oats – 32# Peas – 30#Bly/Oats – 20#
$16.68 $9.10$17.10
Radish – 2# Radish – 2#Hay Millet – 5#
Turnip – 2# Turnip – 2#Bly/Oats – 30#
Bly/Oats – 30# Bly/Oats – 20#Radish – 2#
Clover – 1# Sunflowers – 5# Turnip – 2#
$18.57 $19.80$19.00
Grain Millet – 5# Bly/Oats – 40# Radish – 3#
Bly/Oats – 30# Peas – 30#Bly/Oats – 30#
Radish – 2# Clover – 2#Clover – 2#
Turnips – 2# $11.64$19.93
$17.80
7
![Page 8: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Mandan USDA – ARSCover Crop Chart
www.mandan.ars.usda.gov
8
![Page 9: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
![Page 10: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Do we want to see this next season?
10
![Page 11: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Planting a Cover Crop
11
![Page 12: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Blending Oats + Turnip + Radish Seed30# + 1.5# + 1.5# = $13.35/A.
12
![Page 13: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Seeding – Aug. 27th
13
![Page 14: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Oats – Turnips – Radish Emergence Sept. 7th
14
![Page 15: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Cover Crop Stage – Oct. 1st
15
![Page 16: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Cover Crop Growth – Oct. 1st
16
![Page 17: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Glen Cunningham – Lansford on Prevented Planting
• Seeded August 3rd
• Custom Mix – 25% Oats + 25% Millet + 19% Peas + 16% Barley + 9% Turnips + 6% Radish
• Seed Cost per Acre = $22.65• Grazed Cows/Calves after Nov. 1• Herd adapted quickly – no digestive probs.• Calves actually reduced creep feed cons.
17
![Page 18: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Cunninghams will repeat in 2011
18
![Page 19: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Cunninghams Cont’d.
19
![Page 20: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Cunninghams – Turnip & Radish
20
![Page 21: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Pat Flaherty – Westhopeon Prevented Planting
• Seeded July 26th
• Bin Run Conf. Sunflowers + Arvika Peas + Millet + Turnips + Radish
• Herd turned-out after Nov. 1• Grazed clean by Nov. 17 – roots to the soil• Will incorporate this system as an annual
forage management tool
21
![Page 22: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Pat Flaherty – Oct. 12th
22
![Page 23: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Pat Flaherty cont’d.
23
![Page 24: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Pat Flahery cont’d.
24
![Page 25: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Pat Flaherty cont’d.
25
![Page 26: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Herd Turnout – Oct. 24th Growing Period is Over
26
![Page 27: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Radish & Turnips do not like Saline-Flooded Soils
27
![Page 28: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Oct. 24th cont’d.
28
![Page 29: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Oct. 24th cont’d.
29
![Page 30: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Oct. 24th cont’d.
30
![Page 31: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop:Expanding the Benefits of Peas in Rotation
Blaine G. SchatzCarrington Research Extension Center
![Page 32: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop System
** A system where field pea seeds that are lost at harvest are encouraged to germinate and re-grow.
** The re-growth becomes a source of organic matter, nitrogen, and other benefits that otherwise would not exist.
![Page 33: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop System
• The opportunity exists for significant pea development.
• Field pea harvest occurs early in season.– Late July to mid-August.
• Field pea are tolerant to freezing temperatures.
• Experience indicates pea growth continues until late October to early November.
33
![Page 34: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop System• Pea seeds lost at harvest must be
introduced to the soil to achieve proposed benefits.– Seed to soil contact required for
germination.
• Methods to foster seed to soil contact.– Disking (light)– Coulter Harrow– Roller
• Timing and effectiveness of this operation is important to attain maximum re-growth.
![Page 35: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Field Pea Relay Cover CropSystem Management Option: Graze Re-growth
Pea re-growth is a high quality and very palatable forage.
Ex: CREC 2008 -16 acre pea field
Harvested Aug.10 ~ Disked Aug.20
52 Beef cows grazed re-growth
- Turned in on October 15
- Grazed for 21 days (Nov. 4)-Est. Intake = 2,800 lbs DM/A
![Page 36: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop System• Enhances/Increases:• Organic matter• Soil nitrogen• Biological activity• Soil cover/stabilization• Grazing or Forage options
• Re-crop response
![Page 37: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Pea Relay Cover Crop: Nitrogen Benefit
* Growing conditions in the fall are very favorable for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in field pea.
* Generally cool growing conditions.
* High numbers of rhizobia bacteria, ‘inoculum’ , from crop just grown.
![Page 38: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop System Organic Matter and Nitrogen Yield
• Field 14B– 3026 lb dry matter / Ac– 129 lbs total N at 4.3% N
• Field 14A– 1582 lbs dry matter / Ac– 63 lbs total N at 4.0% N
• Field 12– 1877 lbs dry matter / Ac– 69 lbs total N at 3.7 % N
2008 replicated samples from CREC commercial field pea fields
![Page 39: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center
• 2007– 3400 lbs dry matter / Ac– 136 lbs total N at ~4.0% N
• 2006– 2000 lbs dry matter / Ac– 80 lbs total N at ~ 4.0% N
• 2005– 3020 lbs dry matter / Ac– 121 lbs total N at ~4.0% N
• 2004– 2700 lbs dry matter / Ac– 108 lbs total N at ~ 4.0% N
Field Pea Relay Cover Crop System Organic Matter and Nitrogen Yield – CREC Past Years
39
![Page 40: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
2010 Field Pics – Oct. 7th
![Page 41: Soil Health – Cover Crops – Relay Cropping](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022102700/55526dc8b4c9052e1f8b514c/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
QUESTIONS ? – COMMENTS !
• RESOURCES -• NDSU Extension Service• Blaine Schatz, Dir.–NDSU Carrington Res./Ext. Ctr.• USDA – Agricultural Research Service – Mandan• Natural Resources Conservation Service