2008 Annual Report for GNC08-093
Recycling Nutrients with Cover Crops to Decrease Hypoxia/Eutrophication while Promoting Sustainable Crop Production
Summary
Cover Crops were planted on approximately 2400 acres in the Grand Lake and St. Mary's watersheds and approximately 1200 acres in the Upper Wabash watershed in Mercer County Ohio. Cover crops included oilseed radish, winter pea, sorghum sudan, oats, and soybeans after wheat and oilseed radish, wheat, and winter peas after corn silage and soybeans. Cereal rye was planted after corn for grain on a few farms, but was delayed by too much fall rain.
Objectives/Performance Targets
A goal of 5,000 acres of cover crops in the Upper Wabash and Grand Lake St. Mary's River Watershed.
Cover crop plots initated at Ohio State University (OSU) South Piketon and Hoytville research branches.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Approximately 3,600 acres of cover crops planted in two watersheds.
initiated cover crop plots at OSU South Piketon and Hoytville Research branch.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Farmers have started using cover crops to soak up manure nutrients. Approximately 5% of Grand Lake Watershed has cover crops and 15% has green covers (from hay or wheat for winter wheat for grain.)