Conserving end-of-season N with effective seeding dates for cover crops based on fall growing degree days

2006 Annual Report for LNE06-238

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2006: $85,953.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Region: Northeast
State: Massachusetts
Project Leader:

Conserving end-of-season N with effective seeding dates for cover crops based on fall growing degree days

Summary

Our hypotheses are i. that fall-winter losses of N leaching in corn fields are avoidable, and can be reduced or prevented if cover crops are used, and are planted early enough to be effective, and ii. that use of cover crops and nutrient management has economic benefit to the farmer, can be integrated into the cropping system through outreach and education, and is transferable to other regions. Our objectives are i. to determine critical seeding dates and a growing degree day (GDD) model for rye cover crops. ii. To evaluate methodologies for early establishment of cover crops, and iii. to demonstrate the economic benefit of adopting “effective” cover crops.

To achieve the objectives, on-farm field experiments have been established on farms, and will involve farmers in cover crop planting and evaluation, data collection, and in the review of management strategies. These involve field studies demonstrating the establishment of cover crops in standing corn, at the time of topdressing N fertilizer, and field studies investigating the effective date for fall establishment after corn harvest. Other management factors for early harvest of corn to allow timely planting of cover crops including time of seeding corn and choice of corn hybrid will be demonstrated. Cover crop growth, climatic and soil data will be recorded and integrated into a fall GDD model and incorporated into the economic analysis. All findings will be shared with and reviewed by farmers. We expect the results will be transferable to other farm locations/regions by the development of the GDD model.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Of 20 dairy/livestock farmers who participate in on-farm studies and farm based outreach, 15 will use the developed assessment methods for cover crop effectiveness in recovering end-of-season nutrients, and 10 will make management decisions (changes) to ensure cover crops are effective for N uptake.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1. We met with USDA-NRCS partners in the spring to discuss farmers to recruit for field studies and demonstrations. The goal is to have 10 to 15 farmers involved in the project by the first summer was achieved with 10 farm demonstrations established in 2006. We expect at least 10 additional farms involved and committed to the project in the second year.

2. Visits were made to farms involved in cover crop planting and research methodology for on-farm evaluations of cover crop seeding dates, and alternative seeding methods were discussed. The on-going evaluation at the UMass Crops Research and Education Center continued. A farmer research group meeting is planned for the late winter early spring.

3. Farmers were assisted in the summer and fall in establishing cover crops and in collecting field samples as necessary.

4. Data from evaluations is being summarized and will be discussed at the farmer research group meeting and is being presented at the New England Certified Crop Advisors meeting in February 2007.

5. Preliminary work on growing degree model has commenced and graphs will be shown in education programs in 2007. This work will be completed after compiling the growth and temperature data in Year 2. Ten temperature sensors were distributed at farm locations and towns to records fall temperatures.

6. UMass and participating farmers hosted 3 on-farm field studies and a field day meeting showcasing cover crops and corn hybrid evaluations in Years 1.

7. The economic cost/benefit analysis has been discussed and the economic analysis will be completed after the second crop year.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

1. Early establishment of cover crops dates are being confirmed for effectiveness in end-of-season N uptake.

2. Interseeding of at time of topdressing has been shown to be successful with annual ryegrass but not with winter rye. While winter rye showed good establishment and early growth, it had disappeared at by the time of the corn harvest. This occurred at all 8 farm locations. Smooth bromegrass survived but was not as vigorous as the ryegrass.

3. The preliminary GDD analysis shows promise for the development of a GDD model for cover crops.

Collaborators:

Thomas Akin

thomas_akin@ma.usda.gov
USDA-NRCS
451 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002
Office Phone: 4132534365
A. Masoud Hashemi

masoud@psis.umass.edu
Dr.
Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
Dept. of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
Amherst, MA 01003
Office Phone: 4135451843
Timothy O. Randhir

randhir@forwild.umass.edu
Dr.
Univ. of Massachusetts
Dept. of Natural Resource Conservation
Holdsworth Hall
Amherst, MA 01003
Office Phone: 4135453696