Adaption of Cover Crops to Build Soil Health in the Northern Plains

Adaption of Cover Crops to Build Soil Health in the Northern Plains

Summary

Producers in the Northern Plains, specifically North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota, struggle with the incorporation of cover crops into rotations because of a short growing season and limited, regionally-specific information. To compound the issue, there is a desperate need to manage the extensive salinity issues in this region brought upon by a 20 year wet cycle and shift in management to shorter growing season crop rotations. Producers in this area estimate that 15- 35% of their cropland is impacted by salinity, drastically reducing yields and degrading soil health. The current management approach used by a majority of producers in the region is “business as usual” with excessive fall and spring tillage and planting of non-salt tolerant crops – the exact opposite of what needs to happen. A recommended management approach to combat the issue is to use water with cropping systems to drive the salts deeper into the soil profile. Using an early season, more salt-tolerant crop, such as a small grain, followed by a cover crop will increase the duration of “something growing and using water” by up to four months. Additionally, the lengthened growing season improves our ability to build soil health and develop more sustainable agronomic systems.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objective 1: Collect regionally-specific data throughout the northern and southern Red River Valley on the effectiveness of various cover crop mixes following small grains using replicated plots.

Objective 1 accomplishments to date: Four replicated cover crop plots were established across the Red River Valley near De Lamere, Wahpeton, Cummings, and Thompson, ND. Sites are located in visible areas so neighboring farmers can monitor the cover crop plots throughout the seasons. After small grain harvest, prior to cover crop planting, a Veris cart was used to map the entire field for salinity. The salinity map will be used as a baseline to track the effectiveness of cover crops as a salinity management tool. Cover crop biomass was collected along with soil samples, which are being analyzed for nutrient content/fertility and soil organic matter; this will establish baseline levels for the plots. Cover crops will be planted on the same plot locations in 2016. Again, cover crop and soil samples will be collected in late fall, at each location, to track the changes and potential benefits associated with two years of cover cropping in the Red River Valley.

Objective 2: Demonstrate the use of various cover crop mixes using full-scale plots installed by partnering producers in close proximity to other established salinity demonstration locations.

Objective 2 accomplishments to date: Farmer cooperators were crucial in the planning and installation of the cover crop plots. With farmer and seed dealer’s input three mixes were selected. Mix 1: Cereal Rye, Radish, and Turnip. Mix 2: Cereal Rye, Radish, Turnip, Forage Pea, and Crimson Clover. Mix 3: Cereal Rye, Radish, Turnip, Forage Pea, Crimson Clover, Sorghum/Sudangrass, and Dwarf Essex Rapeseed. The mixes were designed to be additive, with the same basic species in all mixes and additional species added to investigate the potential cost or benefits associated with higher species mixes. Check plots were left as a comparison. With NDSU support, the farmer cooperators completed the plot installation using full size equipment. The use of field scale plots allows farmers to see what using cover crops will look like on-farm, as opposed to small plots.

Objective 3: Increase education opportunities by demonstrating additional practices for salinity management and opportunities for improving soil health to an already existing framework of demonstration sites that have well attended annual field days.

Objective 3 accomplishments to date: Field days were held at each field site during late fall, at peak cover crop productivity, drawing a total of 284 participants. The group of participants included farmers, government agencies, Ag industry professionals, and Ag students from a local college. Field day agendas featured talks on salinity management, reduced tillage practices, cover crops, and general soil health management. Based on surveys collected from the field days, participates noted an averaged 31% increase in knowledge on how to build soil health with cover crops. To build on the success of the first field day season, winter workshops will be held and field days will take place at each site in the fall of 2016.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Plot installation was the major milestone for the 2015 field season, along with four successful field days and plant/soil sampling in the late fall. Plot installation was made possible by the four farmer cooperators for this project. The cooperators have been willing and eager to assist with this project; mainly because results form this project will influence how and if they incorporate cover crops in their long-term management plan.

The four field days were well attended and received positive feedback from the farmer participants. NDSU Extension’s County Agents were paramount in the planning, facilitation and execution of the field days.

The first sampling event was also completed in 2015, providing a solid baseline for comparing the impact of cover crops on soil health.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

In year one of this project the impact has been considerable. Firstly, with the farmer cooperators, through the planning process, installation, and monitoring they have gained knowledge in cover crops and soil health. By working one-on-one with NDSU specialists, extension agents, and seed salesman each cooperator has obtained a wealth of knowledge on cover crops and salinity management, making them a local expert. Farmer cooperators have also tried cover crops in other problem areas on-farm and are seeing positive results; thus, this project is impacting acres beyond the plots. Extension County Agents have gained experience working with cover crops and soil health, making them a resource for producers in their county interested in soil health and salinity management. The cooperating extension agents have also built successful soil health programs in their counties. Finally, this project has reached over 250 farmers and ag industry leaders displaying that cover crops can be a incorporated into rotations, even with the short growing season of the Northern Great Plains.

• SARE Wick Grand Forks Field Day Agenda 2015
• SARE Wick Traill Co 2015 Field Day Evaluation
• SARE Wick 2015 Project Summary
• SARE Wick Traill Co 2015 Field Day Agenda
• SARE Wick Sargent Co 2015 Field Day Evaluation
• SARE Wick Grand Forks 2015 Field Day Evaluation
• SARE Wick Sargent Co 2015 Field Day Agenda

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