the use of cover crops in western north dakota

ByCraig Askim/Extension Agent

Mercer County

What is a cover crop?

Does it really matter?

Why do we have agriculture?How long will we need it?What does it take to raise crops and livestock?

The North Dakota experience was difficult, expensive and unprofitable.

Background InformationMercer County – Beulah, ND

Located about 80 miles northwest of Bismarck, ND

Population, 8000455 farms Average size 1,200 acres 37,000 head of cattleMain farm income in county

Mercer County

Selecting the Best Cover CropWhat is the goal?

Break weed and insect cyclesPlanting sod cropsReduce amount of fertilizerAdd organic matterImprove soil structureReduce erosionRemove excess water

Factors to ConsiderYield stabilityEconomic returnEquipment availabilityRegistered pesticides and herbicidesImpact on crop rotationCrop adaptation

More Factors to ConsiderTiming /Long term planCurrent/Next year’s cropCurrent weed pressuresMoisture conditionsPast pesticide seed crop rotation restrictions

Pesticides of ConcernCrops

Wide –MatchDicambaCurtailHuskieSpartan

CRP BreakoutTordon , Milestone, Plateau, Curtail

Purpose Encourage the use of a variety of alternative

forages for grazing and feed such as turnips, hairy vetch, triticale, winter rye, oats, and peas.

Promote prescribed grazing systems and diversity in no-till cropping systems.

Soil ArmorCover crops protect soil from damaging winds,

water, and high temperatures.

Soil TemperaturesSoil bacteria die at 140° F.

100% of moisture is lost due to evaporation and transpiration at 130° F.

At 100° F. – 15% of the moisture is utilized for growth and 85% is lost to evaporation and transpiration

At 70° F. nearly 100% of the moisture is used for growth

Total BenefitsDecrease inputs – long termDecrease weed competitionProvides second crop – haying or grazingIncreases soil healthIncreases organic matter

Adding Alternative Feed and Forage to Farming\Ranching OperationsImprove the native rangeland health and vigor by earlier

removal of livestockMaintain a stable and desired plant communityEnhance nutrient cycling through crop diversityImprove animal health and productivityReduce soil erosionImprove soil condition for sustainability of the resourceIncrease soil organic matterImprove ground water quality and infiltrationMinimize contained feeding duration

Resource Concerns Being Addressed LocallyPasture grazing rotation Erosion Crop & hayland health Noxious weeds Ag waste

Water quality Education Wildlife habitat Soil quality \healthWetland health

2007 Start-up Trials

Five sites Simple forage mixtures

Three-way mixtures Purpose:

Planned for haying or grazing

2007 – Trials Journey Peas 70#/acreEverleaf Oats 30#/acreHairy Vetch 10#/acre

Seeding Date: 4-28-07Purpose: Haying or Grazing

2008 – Trials Nine Sites

More complex mixtures Three to eight way mixtures

Cool season broadleafWarm season broadleafWarm season grass

Different seeding windows Early Spring (April 1 – June 15)Summer (June 15 – Aug 15)Fall (Aug. 15 – Sept. 20)

2008 Trials

2008 Trials

2008 Trials

Site # 6 Oats 16.0 lbs/ac Winter Rye 12.0

lbs/ac Millet 4.0 lbs/ac Soybeans 4.5 lbs/ac Turnips 0.8 lbs/acChicory 1.0 lbs/ac

Seeded Date: June 27, 2008 Chicory Turnip Oats and Winter Rye

COVER CROP – After Harvesting

Turnips 2 lbs/acre

PurposeLiving root thru

growing season Plant Diversity Nutrient Cycling

Seeding Date 7-25-08

2009 TrialsMore of the same few changesDifferent cafeteria mixes

Cowpea gave little benefit for the costTurnips, winter rye, buckwheat, radishes show

most potentialCafeteria mixes perform less than stand alone

crops

Cover crop options for row cropsNo clear answerMany optionsInterseed with row crops

Corn, sunflowersSeeding legumes between rows adds nitrogen,

weed control, and water usageBlack lentil, black medic, hairy vetch

Cover crop options for small grains:Direct seed into stubble

Seed legume with crop

Use of bi-annual cropsSweet clover , red clover

Cover crop options for grazingType of LivestockTime of yearCover crop

Following hayFollowing crop

Overall Factors to ConsiderTiming/Planning

Pesticide use

Cost

SummaryMany factors to considerUsing cover crops is working in North Dakota Still many questions to address

Thank You!Craig Askim/Extension Agent

Mercer County

Craig AskimNDSU Extension Service Mercer County 1400 Hwy 49 N #103Beulah, ND 58523(701) 873-5195craig.askim@ndsu.edu