CAN COVER CROPS CONTROL WEEDS ?

   
      Yes !!  Our experience is very limited; however, I'm convinced that cover crops can be used to control weedy cultivars in our crops, at least to a limited extent.  We aren't expecting weed free crops, particularly, this early in the game.

      We are finding a significant drop in weed pressure using our ULD-DS (ultra-low disturbance-direct seed) system.  Combining the ULD-DS with good surface cover leaves a hostile environment for any seed type to germinate and grow.  Most of the current weeds emergence comes from wheel tracks left by the combine, tractor/drill, and sprayer.  That little bit of disturbance through compaction and squirm is enough to start weeds.

This pic shows weed cultivars in wheel tracks left by a Case 2470 with single tires pulling a 26 foot wide Schulte mower.










     This past fall we seeded winter wheat into a nine cultivar cover crop.  At the time of seeding there were a few new broadleaf plants showing, but no grassy weed plants.  Many of the cover crop species were still alive, but we expect that they will not survive the winter.  Should they survive, an application of any phenoxy should tip them over.  My real concern is whether grassy weeds will show this coming spring.  This property has had two legume cultivar crops that allowed us to use more effective chemistry on grassy weed cultivars.

The pic is showing us seeding into a pretty good stand of cover crop with nine cultivars.(3 radish, 2 canola, 2 mustard, Wooly pod vetch, Crimson clover)

PHOTOGRAPHERS PARADISE

      The climate is very dynamic.  I don't remember the last time we have had weather that would develop such a spectacular sight of hoarfrost.  This morning is was 7degrees, 82% humidity and looked like a fairyland in our yard with all of the trees heavily laden.  My little Lumix doesn't do it justice.
      It has been two weeks since we have been above freezing temperatures.  Temperatures have been ranging from (-4) to (18).  If we could tell, I think we have ≈16" of snow.  The days with 15-25mph winds have moved everything around where there isn't sufficient vertical blockage.
      The stripper headed crops are showing their value with the snow catch.  Snow catch is huge.
       It's predicted that in about three days we will have temperatures in the 40's and a lot of rain.  If that comes about, erosion of unprotected fields will be devastating.   Our fields are well protected.  The question is, --will our WW seeded into covercrop (a lot of radish plants) allow the water to enter the frozen ground.