Integrating Solar Corridors into Vermont Corn Silage Production Systems

Although substantial gains in cover crop acreage have been seen across the northeast, proper establishment of cover crops continues to be challenging for dairy operations which rely heavily on corn silage. In a recent SARE grant (LNE18-361), Darby and 30 farm partners evaluated corn variety, corn population, and interseed timing to increase light infiltration and improve cover crop establishment. Results remain highly variable and reduces the overall cost effectiveness of the practice. Farmers are interested in exploring the concept of solar corridors that integrates row crops with solid-seeded cover crops in broad strips. The broad strips (corridors) allow for more efficient capture of solar radiation by each crop.  This strategy may allow farmers to select cover crops that maximize nutrient cycling or increase forage production and help reduce farm costs and improve cover crop adoption. Research is needed to understand the advantages and disadvantages of various row arrangements for corn silage systems, which cover crops are most successful in these systems, and which cover crops can provide the most benefit. On‐farm and small plot research will help farmers to better understand how to adapt solar corridor cropping practices to corn silage production systems. Although the research is focused on solar corridor strategies the educational components will include information on a suite of practices that can help to maximize cover crop outcomes and overall farm sustainability. The education plan will deliver information to over 500 dairy and corn growers in the northeast through farm demonstrations, field days, conferences, webinars, and videos.