2012 Annual Report for FNC10-817
Skip Row Corn Planting Techniques with Cover Crops for Sustainable Grazing
Summary
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
In solid row stands, canopy density light penetration limits winter cover crop establishment until midpoint of crop senescence. By skipping planter rows at corn establishment extra light would allow earlier planting with dealer available high clearance ground equipment. An earlier emerging and more robust cover crop would result in greater forage mass, higher quality forage and lower grazing costs for 400 feeder lambs followed by ewes and beef cattle. Skip-rows would also allow ease of controlled grazing with portable electric fencing.
SUMMARY
The study was planted in April and weather forced a replant, which was killed by an extreme drought which began May 1 and lasted until September. Therefore there was no data captured in 2012. I hope to continue the study in 2013 and complete the grant at that time.
RESULTS
Drought prevented any growth or data being collected.
WORK PLAN FOR 2013
The study will be repeated in 2013, if an extension is allowed for the final year of the study. Observations and data collected suggest some changes in the final year’s study. The skip-rows will be planted to maturity group VI or VIII to generate more pounds dry matter per acres and prevent late season weeds from reducing cover crop yields. In addition, radishes and kale will be dropped from the cover crop seeding mix and oats, and annual ryegrass seeding rates will be increased. Additions to the cover crop species mix will include: crimson clover and annual ryegrass.
The feeding portion of the study will be modified to reflect what was learned in 2011. Lambs will be selected and individually weighed prior to being assigned to treatments:
--pasture grazing only
--free choice standing corn/cover crops (weather dependent on successful cover crop stand)
--standing corn/cover crops (weather dependent on successful cover crop stand)
OUTREACH
While the field study was interrupted by the extreme drought, the previous year’s work was well used in meetings. I made power point presentations at the following 2012 events.
• February, Presentation at the Montgomery County Soils and Crops Conference
• July , Presentation and poster session at the National County Agriculture Association national meeting
• September, Presentation of the project at the Soil and Water Conservation Society‘s Illinois conference “Effective Cover Cropping in the Midwest”
• October, Presented the study in a SARE Webinar
• November, Hosted a cover crop field day
• November, Presentation of project at the NCR-SARE Farmers Forum at the National Small Farm Trade Show and Conference in Columbia Missouri