Understanding the Impacts of Grazing and Baling Corn Residue on Subsequent Crop Yields Across Various Soil Types with Different Erosion Potential

2015 Annual Report for LNC13-354

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2013: $199,059.00
Projected End Date: 11/01/2017
Grant Recipient: Unversity of Nebraska
Region: North Central
State: Nebraska
Project Coordinator:
Dr. Rick Rasby
Unversity of Nebraska

Understanding the Impacts of Grazing and Baling Corn Residue on Subsequent Crop Yields Across Various Soil Types with Different Erosion Potential

Summary

We continue to collect data at our 6 cooperator sites across Nebraska. Each year for 3 years we have collected:

  • Spring sampling of fields – soil samples, compaction, soil infiltration rate, soil organic matter, and residue cover.
  • Sampling field – fall before harvest – hand corn yield, biomass production
  • Corn yields from combine yield monitor
  • Bale the “baled treatments”
  • Bale count from each bale treatment
  • Bale weights by treatment
  • Sample, analyze and determine nutrients removed
  • Fence out the baled and no bale/no graze treatments
  • Graze with cows – grazing days determine by yield
  • Repeat

We continue to collect data (cover crop establishment, forage production and animal performance) on cover crop grazing research at ARDC, Mead, NE.

Our group published one manuscript from data collected on this project.

We finished collecting survey data and have analyzed the data.

Developed an abstract that will be presented March, 2016 at Mid-West Animal Science Meetings.

Developed an article on the results of the survey data that will appear in our Crop Watch and Beef Watch newsletters that have a readership of over 1,000.

 

Objectives/Performance Targets

  1. Survey data collection complete and analyzed. Development of a manuscript is underway for submission by April 1, 2016.
  2. The 2016 corn crop is the final crop that will be part of the SARE project – will continue to collect data and then analyze for publication.
    1. This data will be a chapter in a graduate student thesis – Fall 2016
    2. Develop an abstract for presentation at Animal Science annual meeting.
    3. Develop manuscript.
  3. 2016 will be the last year for cover crop establishment and grazing. Data will be analyzed.
    1. This data will be a chapter in a graduate student thesis – Fall 2016
    2. Develop a manuscript.
  4. Develop and deliver field days at the site of each cooperator – October 2016.

Accomplishments/Milestones

  1. YouTube – Recommendations when grazing corn residue – 530 views
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi3tzpmAr0Q
  2. Manuscript published:
    1. Perceptions of crop consultants and producers in Nebraska on grazing corn residue
      Jordan L. Cox*, Kristen M. Ulmer*, Manbir Rakkar#, Lisa Franzen-Castle†, Humberto Blanco-Canqui#, M. E. Drewnoski*, J. C. MacDonald*, and R. J. Rasby*.
      * Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE, USA
      †Nutrition and Health Sciences Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE, USA
      # Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE, USA
      1. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. – doi:10.2136/sssaj2015.07.0254
  3.  Abstract that will be presented at Mid-West Animal Science Meetings
    1. Abstract 13094: Perceptions of crop consultants and producers in Nebraska on grazing corn residue has been accepted for Oral presentation at the ADSA-ASAS 2016 Midwest Meeting to be held Monday, March 14, 2016 – Wednesday, March 16, 2016 in Des Moines, IA.
  4. Manscript in preparation – survey results
    1. Target Journal for publication: The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
  5. Developed a popular press article using the survey results. Currently under review.

 

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

  1. Producers continue to ask question about grazing corn reside and the impact on soil components and grain yield. The survey data suggest that the impact of grazing on grain yield is not a concern. The concern is the impact of grazing on soil compaction. Our preliminary data collected at the cooperator sites indicates that we can not detect any impact of grazing on compaction. The survey data will help us what to focus on as we develop education programs for producers and consultants.
  2. Will continue to monitor and collect data and the impact of grazing and baling on soil components and grain yield at our 6 cooperator sites. This help producers to make informed decisions.
  3. Will continue to collect data on cover crop establishment, forage production and calf performance.These data will help producers determine how cover crops will impact soil components and animal performance.

 

Collaborators:

Dr. Humberto Blanco

hblanco2@unl.edu
Assistant Professor
Unversity of Nebraska
261 PLSH
Lincoln, NE 68583-0915
Office Phone: 4024721510
Dr. Jim MacDonald

jmacdonald2@unl.edu
Associate Professor
Unversity of Nebraska
C204j Animal Science Building
Lincoln, NE 68583-0908
Office Phone: 4024726780
Brent Johnson

Producer Cooperator
1608 South 66 Road
Nebraska City, NE 68410
Office Phone: 4022090969
Ken Hubbert

Producer Cooperator
14410 78th Road
Kearney, NE 68845
Office Phone: 3082377272
Brent Plugge

brent.plugge@unl.edu
Extension Educator
Unversity of Nebraska
1400 E 34th
Kearney, NE 68847-3992
Office Phone: 3088721235
Steve Bejot

Producer Cooperator
88023-437 Avenue
Ainsworth, NE 69210
Office Phone: 4023872236
Gary Lesoing

gary.lesoing@unl.edu
Extension Educator
Unversity of Nebraska
1824 N Street, Suite 102
Auburn, NE 68305-2395
Office Phone: 4022744755
Dr. Rick Rasby

rrasby1@unl.edu
Professor and Beef Specialist
Unversity of Nebraska
c204C Animal Science Building
Lincoln, NE 68583-0908
Office Phone: 4024726477
Jason Gross

jason.gross@unl.edu
Engineering Tec/Project Coordinator
Unversity of Nebraska
1400 E 34th
Kearney, NE 68845
Office Phone: 3088651594
Hilary Maricle

hilary@northeast.edu
Assistant Dean - Agriculture
Northeast Community College
801 E Benjamin Ave.
PO Box 469
Norfolk, NE 68702-0469
Office Phone: 4028447187
Dennis Bauer

dbauer1@unl.edu
Extension Educator
Unversity of Nebraska
148 West 4th Street
Ainsworth, NE 69210-1696
Office Phone: 4023872065
Dr. Karla Jenkins

kjenkins2@unl.edu
Assistant Professor
Unversity of Nebraska
4502 Avenue I
PHREC
Scottsbluff, NE 69361-4939
Office Phone: 3086321245
Dr. John Pollak

john.plollak@ars.usda.gov
Director
Meat Animal Research Center
844 Road 313, State Spur 18 D
Clay Center, NE 68933
Office Phone: 4027624100