Farmer-led cover crop trials and demonstrations for vegetable and corn silage fields

Farmer-led cover crop trials and demonstrations for vegetable and corn silage fields

Summary

The cover cropping challenges to be addressed through on-farm demonstration trials and associated educational events are two-fold:

1.   Vegetable production cover crops information and management for:
                a.  alley management with living cover and
                b.  biomass for no-till management with a suppressive weed mat and reduced tillage, and
                c.  pollinator habitat for complimentary and diverse insects.

2.  Silage corn cover crop management and timing for:
                a.  highest germination rates using commonly available seeding methods,
                b.  biomass for soil structure, diversity, health, erosion protection, and
                c.  crop timing and biomass for nutrient retention and double crop forage

The cropping systems and information available to crop production often involves continuous exposure of, or clean, field alleyways.  As more information is coming forward about the benefits of having continuous plant growth and cover on the soil, there is uncertainty and need for hands-on instruction different methods to establish and manage cover crops, particularly with vegetable production.  There is concern for competition to sun, nutrients, and water.  However, popular crop production articles today talk about the benefits of managed covers and long-term benefits they can have to help with moisture through drought, retain and cycle nutrients, and effectively increase the yield potential of the vegetable fields.  Despite the new information, there is a shortage of examples or demonstrations for people to see, and a significant risk for potential crop loss for farmers to try the new methods on their own farm. 

Objectives/Performance Targets

The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District is partnering with local farmers from Connecticut and Rhode Island and agricultural providers such as USDA NRCS, CT RC&D, CT NOFA, and the CT Ag Experimental Station from Connecticut and Rhode Island to participate in the 2016 Northeast SARE Cover Crop Initiative Project.

Field demonstrations are planned on five different farms and two university settings across CT and RI.  There are methods to test seven different ideas, and a total of twenty-four different treatments being investigated. 

The methods to test the comparisons will include visual tools (photos) for documentation and teaching, digital tools (Canopeo) to estimate plant canopy, and cover crop yields. The vegetable cover crop yields will be measured for quantity (dry matter/acre) and flower power (open flowers – pollinator experiment only).  The corn fields will be measured for silage yield (ton/ac), cover crop biomass (tons DM/ac), Nutrient Retention (lbs N-P-K/ac), and canopy cover (%).  All measured variables will be run through SAS statistical analysis.

Educational activities proposed to facilitate farmers’ learning from the field demonstrations include three field days in 2016 and three in 2017 where farmers can see the growth comparison of different cover treatments, ask the farm specific questions about the practical use and implementation of the treatments.  Information shared with the farmers at field days is intended to be primarily visual and interactive, just before or during data gathering/harvest.  Data collected from plots (yields, % cover, etc.) will be written up in the corn and the vegetable factsheets and used in talks throughout the states after the project period.

Field days will be held in both fall and spring. Fall field days will focus on cover crop establishment methods, success and biomass going into winter. Spring demonstration days are planned so farms can see the full growth and potential of the cover crops before termination.  One of the uncertainties farmers have about cover crops is the growth or height potential (biomass); farmers aren’t sure how to manage a tall or high yielding cover crop.  The spring demonstration days are intended to address those topics (harvest for forage or roll/crimp for weed mat). 

Accomplishments/Milestones

AssessingSoilHealth-Flyer_Nov_2016 10 03 afj

SoilHealth_OrganicAlternatives_Nov_2016 10 03 afj

Little River, Wishing Stone, Massaro (3 vegetable sites), UConn, and Cushman (2 corn silage sites) plots were all seeded in 2016.  Focus was put on Massaro Farm because they were ready ahead of schedule and had seeded the plot design.  Therefore the farmer demonstration day was scheduled.  Shortly thereafter however, dry soil conditions (drought), poor communication or misunderstanding, and time stress required all six of the plots be re-worked to meet the research objectives of the SARE program. 

The farmer demonstration day was held in Nov 2016 at Massaro farm because of the significant amount of work with four sister agencies (CT RC&D, NRCS, CT Ag Experimental Station, Eastern CT Conservation District) to coordinate efforts related to cover crops and soil health education.  The farm had existing cover crop examples on both alleys and rows, and videos and talks were given to describe large biomass cover crops and use as weed mats when rolled and crimped.  There were 51 people in attendance including 18 farmers and 33 ag service providers (private or public sector). 

In Dec 2016 all six of the research plots have been, or are in process of being revamped.  There is more emphasis on increased communication with the farms ahead of time and particularly around planting time for each of the plots.  All the farms expressed continued interest in the project for 2017 but said confusion or uncertainty with the plot plans led to hesitation, which led to unexpected changes to the projects in 2016. 

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

SH_Workshop_Survey_Nov_2016 11 08 afj

A survey at the Massaro Demonstration Day was provided to all 51 participants.  Presently the survey results have not been reviewed.  The day-of comments from farmers were positive and constructive for the lessons and objectives presented.  Much of the vegetable community is interested in alternatives to plastic row covers and interested in lowering fertilizer inputs while maintaining good soil nutrition and yield.  The presentations and farmer discussion panel brought topics to light some producers had not considered such as how to establish pollinator habitat in adjacent non-field areas to benefit cash crops, row-spacing to allow for mowing or other mechanical means to control living alley covers to reduce weed pressure, reduce soil temperature, and increase water infiltration during hot, dry summer conditions. 

All five participating farmers have had increased one-on-one or small group conversations about cover crops and their goals.  With each conversation there are new thoughts, questions, and ideas to try.  The goal for growing year 2017 is to focus the ideas to a growing plot plan in 2017 to gather data and provide hands-on demonstration days for neighboring farms to see.

Collaborators: