Filling soil health prescriptions with targeted cover crops

2011 Annual Report for ENE09-110

Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2009: $98,158.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2013
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Dr. Thomas Bjorkman
Cornell University

Filling soil health prescriptions with targeted cover crops

Summary

In 2011 extension educators used their training in interpreting the Cornell Soil Health Test to identify opportunities for using cover crops to overcome production limitations on cooperating grower farms. Most cooperating growers raised cover crops in 2011 in anticipation of raising the test vegetable crop in 2012. Weather conditions in 2011 made cover crop use particularly challenging. Saturated ground through May delayed crop planting and harvest, eliminating cover-cropping opportunities. Six weeks without rain limited seed emergence, then two tropical storms late in the summer impacted several sites. Nevertheless, we used the opportunities that were available. Continuing research-farm trials monitor the pace at which soil health parameters respond to eight different cover crops used annually for multiple years.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Milestone 1. Train team

The team is fully trained and the milestone met.

Milestone 2. Improve decision tool

The decision tool is used about 50 times a day, and is widely praised by growers during their presentations in cover crop programs. It was updated with current seed prices and

Strengthen the basis for recommending specific cover crops. The field research has continued with four July-planted and seven August-planted cover crops raised with four replications in each of two fields, retaining the same treatments from year to year. A beet crop was grown after the third season of cover crop. Both ryegrass and sudangrass improved beet stands by 10 to 15%, though subsequent growth was equivalent in all treatments. Annual ryegrass decomposed well this year, where clumpy residue hindered the crop in 2010. A prolonged drought after planting resulted in an uneven beet stand in the trial of August cover crops, therefore yield data did not reflect cover crop effects. Subsequent continuous rain prevented timely planting of the 2011 cover crops; these fields were sown to oats in order to maintain the benefits of having a long cover-crop history. We expect to raise beans as the vegetable in 2012, then plant to the cover crops again with the full battery of soil health parameters measured in Spring 2013.

The third cycle of cover crops did not yet produce statistically significant effects on soil parameters. There is some indication that microaggregates (<0.5 mm) are declining in favor of macroaggregates in the 2-4 mm class. That change is consistent with aggregation occurring in the soil sheath of cover crop roots. We will continue to monitor that parameter to show when it begins changing. We are particularly interested detecting changes that precede conventionally detectable responses that are often reported after five to eight years.

Milestone 3. 43 growers get Cornell Soil Health Tests

We collected Soil Health Tests on 39 farms with the expectation of testing cover crops and subsequent vegetable growth on many of those farms. Extension field staff worked with growers to interpret their tests and chose cover crops to plant in a split field.

Milestone 4. 30 Growers will plant a cover crop based on their soil health test.

Nineteen growers raised cover crops in the 2009, 10 or 11 season. Several more may try in 2012, though the evaluation won’t be possible in the time period.

The growers who were working with John Mishanec initially transitioned to a new extension cooperator during the summer of 2010. Some planted a cover crop in 2011, but a few ultimately dropped out because of weather, reduced interest or location outside the new cooperators territory.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Milestone 5 – Performance Target. 24 growers will raise a cover crop successfully and evaluate the effect on their farm.

Two growers raised a vegetable crop in 2010, and nine in 2011. Evaluation was largely subjective, with some benefits as well as some observations of reduced stands

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The primary outcome thus far is an increase in the skill of the extension staff at interpreting soil health tests to find opportunities for cover crop use to reach management goals.

A second outcome is greater attention to the soil health test by vegetable growers. Grower feedback indicates greater understanding of its potential, a significant increase in farmers choosing to use it, and ongoing use of the online decision tool. We continue an aggressive outreach program to raise adoption.

Conference presentations
2011 NOFA-NY Winter Conference. Thomas Björkman and cooperating grower Seth Jacobs presented a workshop to an overflow crowd.
2011 Empire Fruit and Vegetable Expo. Chuck Bornt organized a full session workshop on cover crops and soil health. Presentations by Thomas Björkman and cooperaing grower Jean-Paul Courtens, as well as a workshop by the Cornell Soil Health Team that included selecting cover crops based on CSHT results.
2011 New England Vegetable and Berry Conference, Thomas Björkman and cooperating grower Ted Blomgren each gave presentations on the project.

Field Days
Laura McDermott led field days with presentations by Thomas Björkman and Chuck Bornt at cooperating Windflower Farm and Fox Creek Farm in Eastern NY.
Carol MacNeil led two field days with presentations by her and Thomas Björkman at Branton Farms in Western NY.

Collaborators:

Amy Ivy

adi2@cornell.edu
CCE Association Director
6064 Route 22, Suite 5
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Office Phone: 5185617450
Chuck Bornt

cdb13@cornell.edu
Extension Associate
Cornell Cooperative Extension
61 State Street
Troy, NY 12180-3412
Office Phone: 5182724210
Laura McDermott

lgm4@cornell.edu
Extension Associate
415 Lower Main St.
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
Office Phone: 5187462562
Carol MacNeil

crm6@cornell.edu
Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Cooperative Extension
480 N. Main St
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Office Phone: 5853943977
Website: http://cvp.cce.cornell.edu/
Tianna Dupont

tdupont@psu.edu
Sustainable Agriculture Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension
14 Gracedale Avenue
Nazareth, PA 18064
Office Phone: 6107461970
Jeff Miller

jjm14@cornell.edu
Extension Educator
121 Second Street
Oriskany, NY 13424
Office Phone: 3157363394
Ruth Hazzard

rhazzard@umext.umass.edu
Vegetable IPM Specialist
University of Massachusetts
Department of Plant Soil and Insect Science
250 Natural Resources Rd.
Amherst, MA 01003
Office Phone: 4135453696
Molly Shaw

meh39@cornell.edu
Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Cooperative Extension
56 Main St
Owego, NY 13827
Office Phone: 6076874020