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![Page 1: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn
Production
Brian JonesAgronomy Extension Agent
(540)[email protected]
http://www.valleycrops.cses.vt.edu
![Page 2: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Are we facing uncertainty?
“There are two kinds of
economists making
forecasts these days, those who don’t know and those who don’t know they don’t
know”
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
1995
July
1996
July
1997
July
1998
July
1999
July
2000
July
2001
July
2002
July
2003
July
2004
July
2005
July
2006
July
2007
July
2008
July
1990
-199
2 =
100
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
Fertilizer prices: 1995 - 2008
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Efficient Nutrient Use is Essential for Profitability and Sustainability
![Page 4: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Efficiency…Through cover crops? Name of the game now more than ever How can cover crops help our growers be more
efficient? By closing the holes in the system
Especially important for our no-till systems Facilitate the “rehab from our
tillage addictions”
NO-TILL
CULTURAL
BIOLOGICAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
Nutrient MgtSoil Health
Residue MgtCover Crops
Pest MgtEquipmentRotations
NO-TILL
CULTURAL
BIOLOGICAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
Nutrient MgtSoil Health
Residue MgtCover Crops
Pest MgtEquipmentRotations
![Page 5: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Many Benefits of Cover Crops
ENHANCE NUTRIENT CYCLING
INCREASE INFILTRATION
REDUCE COMPACTION
IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE
INCREASE ORGANIC MATTER
REDUCE SOIL EROSION
WEED SUPPRESSION
![Page 6: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Nutrient Cycling“The movement of nutrients through an ecosystem”
Holes:• Leaching• Immobilization• Volatilization• De-nitrification
Plugs:• Scavenging• N Fixation• OM creation• Increase crop yield
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Challenges of Cover Crops Fitting them into your system
Livestock producers: Have to have the feed…
Cash grain producers: Getting cover crops in the ground
Nutrient cycling How much N? May be variable and will need to
test (PSNT) N tie up with high C:N cover crops
Rye killed late May not see N until following year
![Page 8: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Challenges of Cover Crops Cropping challenges
Allelopathy may affect cash crop Stand / emergence issues Planting equipment adjustments Mechanically killing for some Good environment for harmful insects Cost of production
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Challenges of Cover Crops Need to understand these questions with
local systems and conditions No perfect cover
Depends on rotation, needs, etc. Need local research…
Two ongoing cover-crop projects Rockingham County (Brian Jones) New Kent County (Paul Davis)
![Page 10: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
ObjectivesRockingham:– Quantify the effects of cover crop species
and timing of termination on nutrient cycling and yield
New Kent:– Determine the effects of cover crop
species, starter fertilizer and side-dress N rates on nutrient cycling and yield
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Methods - Rockingham Planted in fall of 2006 in Rockingham County Planted six different cover crop treatments:
Rye (120 lb) Crimson clover (20 lb) Hairy vetch (25 lb) Rye (90 lb) + hairy vetch (25 lb) Rye (60 lb) + crimson clover (10 lb) + hairy vetch (10 lb) Rye (90 lb) + daicon radish (15 lb)
Three replications of each Two cover crop termination dates: May 10 (boot stage rye)
and June 1 (soft dough) 0 lbs N applied to corn
![Page 12: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Daicon Radish
Not a traditional radish Being marketed as biological compaction relief Some evidence of increased microbiological
activity as a cover crop
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Methods – New Kent Planted on Nov 1, 2007 in New Kent Planted three different cover crop treatments:
Rye (90 lb) Rye (56 lb) + hairy vetch (10 lb) Hairy vetch (25 lb)
Starter (40 lb) or no starter Five injected side-dress rates (0, 40, 80, 120, 160
lb N) Four replications of each Cover killed on May 1
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Methods At both sites:
Cover crop biomass, plant tissue samples and soil samples taken
Corn planted no-till following termination Rockingham: corn silage harvested with
forage chopper and weighed New Kent: corn grain hand harvested and
weighed
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Cover Crop Biomass - RHCover Crop Yield at Two Kill Dates
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
Rye
Crimso
n Clo
ver
Vetch
Rye/V
etch
Rye/V
etch/C
lover
Rye/R
adish
Check
Cover Crop Species
Yie
ld (
ton
ac-
1)
10-May
1-Jun
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Cover Crop Biomass – NK 2007
LSD = 2.1
0
1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Barley CrimsonClover
Oats Rye Rye + Vetch
Vetch Triticale
Bio
mas
s Y
ield
, to
ns
/ac
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Total N from Cover Crop - RH
Plant Nitrogen at Two Kill Dates
0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
250.00
300.00
350.00
Rye
Crimso
n Clo
ver
Vetch
Rye/V
etch
Rye/V
etch/C
lover
Rye/R
adish
Check
Cover Crop Species
Pla
nt
Nit
rog
en (
lb a
c-1)
10-May
1-Juna a
aa
a
a
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Total N from Cover Crop – NK 07
LSD = 22
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
Ear
ly
Mid
Late
N u
pta
ke,
lbs/
ac
Barley CrimsonClover
Oats Rye Rye + Vetch
Vetch Triticale
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Available N From Cover - RH Total N is not all available for mineralization
and crop uptake Loss factors include:
Volatilization (loss to atmosphere) Immobilization (tied up by bacteria) Leaching (loss to groundwater)
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Available N From Cover - RH Volatilization losses
Depend largely on whether or not cover was incorporated
Without incorporating cover crop in our climate figure approximately 50% loss due to volatilization
Species10-May 1-Jun
Rye 43.7 47.9Crimson Clover 85.3 * 119.7 *Hairy Vetch 63.1 145.8 *Rye/Vetch 107.5 * 88.7Rey/Vetch/Clover 86.3 * 124.8 *Rye/Radish 68.1 62.9None 23.6 44.3
Potentially Available N (lb/ac)
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Available N From Cover - RH Immobilization losses
Depend largely on the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) of the cover crop species
Low C:N (<25) bacteria quickly break down vegetation making N available immediately
High C:N (>25) N will become available, but may not be until the following growing season
Also, bacteria will tie up soil N in order to digest high carbon residue
Often see this with the yellowing of corn in early spring with high residue
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Cover Crop C:N at Two Kill Dates
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
Rye
Crimso
n Clov
er
Vetch
Rye/V
etch
Rye/V
etch
/Clo
ver
Rye/R
adish
Check
Cover Crop Species
C:N
Available N From Cover - RH
Net Loss of PANfrom immobilization
Net gain of PANfrom mineralization
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Available N From Cover - RH
SpeciesPotentially
Available N (lb/ac) C:NAvailable N (lb/ac)
10-MayRye 43.7 31.76 ?Crimson Clover 85.3 14.55 85.3Hairy Vetch 63.1 11.68 63.1Rye/Vetch 107.5 18.27 107.5Rey/Vetch/Clover 86.3 23.81 ?Rye/Radish 68.1 43.85 ?None 23.6 28.89 ?
1-JunRye 47.9 45.71 ?Crimson Clover 119.7 20.45 119.7Hairy Vetch 145.8 13.07 145.8Rye/Vetch 88.7 39.71 ?Rey/Vetch/Clover 124.8 37.89 ?Rye/Radish 62.9 75.34 ?None 44.3 36.69 ?
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Available Soil N - RH Sampled the NO3-N and NH3-N fraction at
corn planting to see how much was potentially available These are highly mobile Most of crop uptake
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Available Soil N - RHAvailable Soil N at Two Kill Dates
0.005.00
10.0015.0020.0025.0030.0035.0040.0045.0050.00
Rye
Crimso
n Clo
ver
Vetch
Rye/V
etch
Rye/V
etch/C
lover
Rye/R
adish
Check
Cover Crop Species
Ava
ilab
le N
(lb
s ac
-1)
10-May
1-Jun
![Page 26: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Available Soil N - RH
Species
Available N (lb/ac) from
Residue
Available Soil N (lb/ac)
Total PAN (lb/ac)
10-MayRye ? 32.5 ?Crimson Clover 85.3 23.3 108.6Hairy Vetch 63.1 23.9 87.1Rye/Vetch 107.5 45.4 152.9Rey/Vetch/Clover ? 43.9 ?Rye/Radish ? 40.0 ?None ? 16.3 ?
1-JunRye ? 19.9 ?Crimson Clover 119.7 30.5 150.2Hairy Vetch 145.8 45.5 191.3Rye/Vetch ? 39.0 ?Rey/Vetch/Clover ? 15.3 ?Rye/Radish ? 29.5 ?None ? 19.7 ?
![Page 27: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
QUESTIONS?
![Page 28: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Crop Response So how much N was actually available to the
corn crop from our cover crop treatments? Best observed by looking at the plant itself
Ear leaf samples show the % N in the plant at silking and provide a good “in-season” analysis of N uptake
![Page 29: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Crop Response – Ear Leaf N @ RH
Corn Ear Leaf N from First Kill Date
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
Rye
Crimso
n Clo
ver
Vetch
Rye/V
etch
Rye/V
etch/C
lover
Rye/R
adish
Check
Cover Crop Species
% N
in
Ear
Lea
f
a a a
![Page 30: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Crop Response – Ear Leaf N @ NK
No Starter
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
0 40 80 120 160
Sidedress N Rate, lb ac-1
Ear
Leaf
N, %
Rye+Vetch
Rye
Vetch
![Page 31: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Crop Response – Silage Yield
Corn Silage Yield at Two Kill Dates
0.002.004.006.008.00
10.0012.0014.0016.00
Rye
Crimso
n Clov
er
Vetch
Rye/V
etch
Rye/V
etch
/Clov
er
Rye/R
adish
Check
Cover Crop Species
Co
rn S
ilag
e Y
ield
(to
n a
c-1
)
10-May
1-Jun
a a a a
![Page 32: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Crop Response – Grain Yield
y = -0.0019x2 + 0.8963x + 53.565
R2 = 0.9867
y = -0.0016x2 + 0.8023x + 72.317
R2 = 0.9929y = 0.0612x + 144.83
R2 = 0.1819
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
0 50 100 150 200
Sidedress N Rate, lb ac-1
Gra
in Y
ield
, bu
ac-1
Rye+Vetch, no Starter
Rye, no Starter
Vetch, no Starter
![Page 33: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Summary - Rockingham Cover crops provided from 32 to 152 lb of PAN to
the corn Delaying cover crop termination increased PAN
by as much as 80 lbs for legume covers, but reduced PAN for small grains (greater C:N) Adversely affected corn yield in 2007 (drought)
Radish+rye increased both rye biomass and corn yield above rye alone Greater water use efficiency? Microbiological effect?
![Page 34: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Summary – New Kent No response observed in grain yield
following vetch from 0 to 160 lbs side-dress N
Corn following rye and rye+vetch responded to side-dress N Higher C:N ratios Tied up available N
![Page 35: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
QUESTIONS?
![Page 36: Managing Cover Crops for More Profitable Corn Production Brian Jones Agronomy Extension Agent (540)245-5750 brjones8@vt.edu .](https://reader035.fdocuments.net/reader035/viewer/2022062309/56649e705503460f94b6d671/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Economics Bottom line: Seed and establishment not
cheap Hard sell looking at just seed costs
Cover Crop Variety
Wheat VNS4 19.00$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 53.86$ ac 35.00$ ac 20.00$ ac (18.86)$ ac (33.86)$ ac
Rye Graze Master 16.00$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 47.86$ ac 40.00$ ac 25.00$ ac (7.86)$ ac (22.86)$ ac
Wheeler 17.75$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 51.36$ ac 40.00$ ac 25.00$ ac (11.36)$ ac (26.36)$ ac
Huron 18.50$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 52.86$ ac 35.00$ ac 20.00$ ac (17.86)$ ac (32.86)$ ac
Abruzzi 16.25$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 48.36$ ac 40.00$ ac 25.00$ ac (8.36)$ ac (23.36)$ ac
Barley Nomini 10.88$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 37.62$ ac 35.00$ ac 20.00$ ac (2.62)$ ac (17.62)$ ac
Thoroughbred 11.25$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 38.36$ ac 35.00$ ac 20.00$ ac (3.36)$ ac (18.36)$ ac
Triticale VNS 24.25$ bu 2 bu/ac 15.86$ ac 64.36$ ac 35.00$ ac 20.00$ ac (29.36)$ ac (44.36)$ ac
Crimson VNS 2.11$ lb 20 lb/ac 15.86$ ac 58.06$ ac 25.00$ ac 25.00$ ac (33.06)$ ac (33.06)$ ac
Vetch Common 1.04$ lb 20 lb/ac 15.86$ ac 36.66$ ac 25.00$ ac 25.00$ ac (11.66)$ ac (11.66)$ ac
Notes1. Average price taken from a seed dealer survey on August 132. Seeding rates based on requirements in the 2009 BMP manual3. Seeding cost based on the 2007 VCE farm custom rate survey4. VNS = variety not stated.
After Oct 5
Producer Costs for Cover Crop Establishment
Establishment Costs
Before Oct 5 After Oct 5
Cost ShareAverage
Price1
Seeding
Rate2
Seeding
Cost3
Before Oct 5
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Economics – Yield Advantage @ RH
Cover Crop1 Variety2Seeding
Rate
Seed
Cost3Establishment
Cost4Corn Silage Yield
@ 35 DM
Value of Corn
Silage5Return over
Establishment Costslb ac-1 tons ac-1
Rye Wheeler 120 35.50$ 51.36$ 8.98 269.52$ 218.16$ Crimson Clover VNS 20 42.20$ 58.06$ 13.79 * 413.82$ 355.76$
Hairy Vetch VNS 20 20.80$ 36.66$ 13.79 * 413.82$ 377.16$ Rye/Vetch Wheeler/VNS 90/25 52.63$ 68.49$ 10.62 318.53$ 250.04$
Rye/Vetch/Clover Wheeler/VNS/VNS 60/10/10 49.25$ 65.11$ 14.52 * 435.60$ 370.49$ Rye/Radish Wheeler/VNS 90/15 67.13$ 82.99$ 12.98 * 389.32$ 306.33$ No Cover 0 -$ -$ 5.99 179.69$ 179.69$
------------------$ ac-1---------------- ------------------$ ac-1----------------
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Economics – N Advantage @ RH
Cover Crop1 Variety2
Total PAN Available from
Residue3
Adjusted PAN Available from
Residue4
PAN from Soil
NO3 and Soil NH3
Estimated PAN for Corn
Silage Crop5Value of N Returned
(@ 0.90 N)$ ac-1
Rye Wheeler 87.48 0.00 32.45 * 32.45 29.21$ Crimson Clover VNS 170.55 * 85.27 23.31 * 108.58 97.72$
Hairy Vetch VNS 126.22 63.11 23.94 * 87.05 78.35$ Rye/Vetch Wheeler/VNS 215.06 * 107.53 45.36 * 152.89 137.60$
Rye/Vetch/Clover Wheeler/VNS/VNS 172.53 * 86.26 43.88 * 130.15 117.13$ Rye/Radish Wheeler/VNS 136.14 0.00 39.96 * 39.96 35.97$ No Cover 0.00 0.00 16.29 16.29 14.66$
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Economics – $ Advantage @ RH
Cover Crop1 Variety2
Corn Silage Value after Establishment
CostsValue of N Returned
(@ 0.90 N)
Total Short-Term Dollar
Value3
Rye Wheeler 218.16$ 29.21$ 247.37$ Crimson Clover VNS 355.76$ 97.72$ 453.48$
Hairy Vetch VNS 377.16$ 78.35$ 455.51$ Rye/Vetch Wheeler/VNS 250.04$ 137.60$ 387.64$
Rye/Vetch/Clover Wheeler/VNS/VNS 370.49$ 117.13$ 487.62$ Rye/Radish Wheeler/VNS 306.33$ 35.97$ 342.29$ No Cover 179.69$ 14.66$ 194.34$
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Plant Growth and Plant Nutrition are Complex!
“Providing adequate plant nutrients to growing crops is not rocket science, it is a lot more complex!” – Dr. Jerry Hatfield, National Soil Tilth Lab, USDA- Ames Iowa.
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The Virginia No-Till Alliance We (advisors) must have answers to grower’s
questions as they face these challenges Formation of the Virginia No-Tillage Alliance
organization
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THANK YOU
THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS?