Cover Crops

 --- ESTABLISHING A LONG TERM COVER CROP EXPERIMENTAL AREA ---

This area taken out of CRP (25 years), starting July 2, 2013

      Primarily, this page will reflect what we are doing on ~ 75 ac field dedicated to introducing cover crops in our arid environment (14.67"per year).
      Statements that have been incorporated into this page will disappear over time as their relevance wanes, --in an attempt to keep the page a manageable length with pertinent information.  Any updates will show at the bottom of this post.
      TRAPS:  A section at the bottom will have statements for issues we find "DON'T GO THERE".  I expect it to be a very short section.

        This 70ac parcel is part of a larger field and will be cropped in the same rotation as the larger field,-- except for the fallow year.  During the fallow year this parcel will be put into a multi-species cover crop for the full season.
        We will be doing inter-seeding and post harvest seeding of cover crop cultivars where we can fit them in.  Hopefully, we will be able to incorporate one or more of these processes every year, but moisture availability, or expected, will play a role in these decisions.
       Kye has picked up his interest in covers, so we will probably incorporate them in other fields, but in a more cautious manner.  These will be chronicled through regular posts, --not on this page.

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BACKGROUND - GENERAL ATTITUDES - PROBLEMS

-----General consensus in our area is, get CRP ground into winter wheat production as quickly as possible.  Farmer testimony's indicate high success rate; however, comments of other interested professionals involved are less positive.  I suppose this is normal.  Most farmers don't like admitting screwup's.
-----CRP takeout, in my mind, is a mixed bag as to whether it is a good place for a cover crop or not. Field sanitation is complicated when seeding covers into CRP that is in the takeout phase. However, fields left dead for extended periods of time starve much of the biological life that has developed in CRP fields.  Rush Skeleton Weed is the perennial weed of concern on our CRP fields.
------ I see a lot of exposed soil in the CRP, and after we hit it hard with Roundup, the worms eat the remaining litter up the first year out.  On the positive side, with the exposed soil being all worm castings the seed bank should be low.
------The weather in 2015 has offered a very poor opportunity to takeout CRP grasses and prepare for cropping this fall or the spring of 2016.  Poor sanitation leads to long term problems.
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TESTING FOR SOIL HEALTH

        2015:  --In the spring we sent soil samples from two fields, one that has been cropped for >100 years, and the other (bordering) field that has spent the last 26 years in CRP plus one barley crop, for biological health tests.  This service is offered by Earthfort out of Corvallis, OR.    This fall we sent soil samples for normal nutrient testing, from both areas.
         I'm still a little shaky on interpreting the results, but here is what I see, comparing two fields:
---In the top 4', the cover crop that was grown to maturity used 3" more water than the chem. fallow (CF).
---The "Dry weights" on the biological test indicate that the CF needs more SOM to improve soil structure and increase moisture retention.  The CRP was OK, but not great.
---BACTERIA:  Both fields were excellent in biomass but with low activity, indicating they needed food.
---FUNGI:  -The CF field was low in biomass, and low in activity, indicating they needed food. There was good balance of types of Fungi.  ---The CRP field had good biomass, but had low activity, indicating they need food.
---Protoza: -There are three basic types, --Amoebae, Flagellates, and Ciliates.  The test gives a number, a range, and an indicator of High, Low, Good.
           ---Both fields lack species diversity and balance.  I believe this means the ground needs crop (cultivar) diversity.
           ---Both fields are High in Amoebae.  The range is (5,000 - 50,000).  The CRP field number was 56,170.   The cropped field number was 52,942.  Amoebae prefer small pore spaces and move slow.  An imbalance (High) of these critters are an indicator of poor soil structure.
           ---Both fields are Low in Flagellates.  The range is (5,000 - 50,000).  The CRP field number was 337.  The cropped field was 3,187.  Flagellates prefer large pore spaces and move fast.  An imbalance (Low) of these critters are another indicator of poor soil structure.
           ---Both fields are Good in Ciliates.  The range is (0 - 100).  The number for each field was zero.  The presents of Ciliates indicates anaerobic conditions from poorly drained fields.
           ---The cropped field had a test for Nematodes.  The number for the field was 1.87 with a range of (10-20).  The number is low but the diversity was OK.   Nematodes play an important part in the soil biological web.  The test report devotes significant space to Nematodes.  It tracks several types:Bacterial Feeders, Fungal Feeders, Fungal/Root Feeders, and Root Feeders.  Root feeders are predatory and need to be kept in check.  I think "balance" is good, that it indicates the harmful types are kept in check (?).  How do we manipulate these critters (???)
           ---The CRP field was tested for Micorrhizal Colonization.  The number for the field was 1% with a recommended range (10% -50%).  Brassica's don't support Mycorrhiza but wheat does (I'm finding mixed messages about wheat).  It's important for barley, --the crop responds very well to Mycorrhiza.  I'm finding that some cultivars decrease the Mycorrhiza colonies, and others build them.  Crop management is complicated when trying to maximize benefits from Mycorrhiza.
           ---There is a section on the report titled "Nitrogen Cycling Potential (#/a)".  All three fields are showing (100 - 150).  I'm not sure if this is a default number or what the lab is predicting that this soil biology will actually produce.
            ---I have participated in two webinars explaining these tests.  Two more are being planned for the near future, and I'm going to try and attend both, --with questions ready.   There is a lot about these tests that I still don't understand.  The more I get into this, the less I know.
      I went on the cheap this past year and did a different test for each of three fields (three options were offered).  That experience told me that until I have an understanding of a field's biology I should order the full battery that includes protozoa, nematode and mycorrhiza.

SO, TODAY, Spring 2016   --  HOW DO WE PROCEED??

       ---All the literature recommends that you select cc cultivars for a specific goal you wish to reach. There seems to be mixed opinions on the number of cultivars needed in a mix from 5 - up.  With each cultivar having it's own signature about the exudes it leaks, and the depth it roots, in my opinion you ought to plant as many different cultivars as you can find and afford.
      In 2015 we planted two different mixes.  One was a (10 cultivar) mix for biomass, nitrogen, and nutrient recovery as a goal.  The second mix (5 cultivars) was a recommendation to us for what(?) goal.  We planted cultivars with a mix of seed from very small (cabbage) to very large (pea).  All was seeded with the CrossSlot and emerged, so that was a favorable outcome.  The large seed was planted through one rank and the small seed through the other rank.
       ---The bio. tests last year identified: --tight soil, no mycorrhiza, poor balance between bacteria, fungus, protozoa.  That was surprising to me considering the top 4" of soil was made up of worm castings.  Hopefully we addressed the tight soil this year with the radish, cabbage, and mustard cultivars in the cc mix.
       ---Spring, 2016, take three biological tests.  One from the 10 cultivar cc mix, and one from the 5 cultivar mix area to see if differences can be identified, along with one from the adjoining CF field that was part of the original CRP field.  This, hopefully, will show some differences that we can react to.
       ---Since these fields are planted to WW for 2016, options are limited, but not stopped, in the attempt to improve soil health.  We're looking  at slow developing and low growing legumes to inter-seed that possibly will thrive after harvest of the cereal grain (ww) and leave a live root growing after the cash crop is matured.
       ---If weather cooperates, after harvest, consider planting radish, cabbage,+, into the legume cultivars.  We'll try to matchup cc cultivars to match the soil needs identified in the biological tests.
       ---Late fall 2015, there was a huge emergence of radish.  What to do about them this spring,--if anything?  There are a lot of large Graza radish plants surviving to this point in time after some cold temperatures.  Our biggest problem is Rush Skeleton Weed.  If the crop and cc stand doesn't compete it out, we'll have to rethink it's management.

FALL 2016  ----  WHAT WE LEARNED TO DATE

      ---In April we retested the same areas as 2015 using the same Biological testing facility (Earthfort).  I was shocked (disappointed) that neither the 5 or 9 cultivar cover crop mixes showed improvement in any category on the test.   What happened?  Why didn't something show a change.  The five 6" cores used to make up the sample were pulled in a radius of ≈6', crumbled, mixed, bagged and sent.  

      ---I have the same concerns with the biological tests that I have with the nutrient tests.  Our soils are very diverse and each test only gives information for a very small area in a large field.  Not very useful to draw conclusions about the field.  Yield monitors show this diversity, but the images don't tell you if they are the result of the same soil conditions, or include other factors.  Each complete biological test costs ≈ $300.00, and it gives little useful information for field wide use.

      ---Are there options to laboratory testing?  Since fields are so variable, and the crop changes with time, regular scouting can pick up on growth/development problems.  A person needs to be able to take samples and compare issues with the biology present.  This means many tests over the course of a crop year to get an understanding of a field.

       I've concluded that someone in the farm operation should learn how to identify and count the biological life in a soil sample.  This fall I have taken an online class from Dr. Ingham on "life in the soil", which is a primer.  I am now enrolled in her class on "Microscopy", to learn the morphology of the various critters, what they provide, and what you should lookout for, and how to mitigate the problems that may be evident.  The cost is significant but will be pennies if used on a regular basis on a farm.  The microscope and classes have cost me the equivalent of 7 biological tests.

      ---Last summer we seeded 200+ac to a 9 cultivar mix (2 radish, 2 mustard, 2clover, 2canola, 1vetch). 

      ---We seeded winter wheat into one  cc field (very late) this fall.  This was a failed winter pea field (billybean contamination).  There were no grass weeds present, so no chemical preparation was done prior to seeding.  There was very good cc growth.  Radish grows very well for us.  Many tubers are 3" diameter and 12" long with a good size tap root below.  I like the looks of it.  Our agronomist said that there was no way Kye could physically seed that field.  It was no problem for the CrossSlot.

      ---We seeded one field to the cc mix following CRP takeout in July.  The CRP contract ended in 2015.  We should have taken the CRP out earlier in the spring (May), in that we lost moisture and got very little extra  new growth.  Moist areas grew very well, and the dry areas established but didn't get much growth.  This stand is left and we will evaluate next year when to take it out in preparation for seeding winter wheat.  Yellow blossom sweet clover established very well.  My past experience is that it establishes quickly, but real growth takes place the second year.  I see woolly pod vetch, but not in large numbers.  I have seeded vetch several times in the past and have not had good stand establishment.  Crimson clover is there, but not in large number.  The prior seeding I have done shows it to be a slow developing cultivar.  Since all cultivars have preference areas to grow, next spring I will evaluate where various cultivars are growing best for future seedings.

      ---We still plan to plant ≈20acres of White Dutch Clover this fall/winter for early spring emergence.  The hope is to establish a permanent cover of a low growing nitrogen fixing cultivar.  Hopefully, that cover will compete weeds out and we will be able to drill non legume cash cultivars directly into to the clover sod.  This past year the field had winter wheat, next spring it will be planted to either a spring grain or spring brassica.

SPRING 2017 --- COVER PLANTED

        ---In early May we planted ≈30ac (not part of the 70a test site) Dutch White Clover as a perm-a-cover.  Once established we plan to plant cash crops as the rotation of the bordering field dictates.  We are testing: --the effort needed to establish a low growing permanent cover, --can we plant a cash crop into it (when established) without using chemistry, --can we harvest the clover for seed?
       We prepared a rough CRP takeout field by turbo-tilling (to smooth), than broadcast seed by running it through the drill with openers locked in up position.  We later replanted with openers barely in the ground.  By 6/26 we are thinking it is a failure.  Time will tell.  We will keep seeding this area until we get it right, and a full stand is established.  (Fall 2017, I determined the stand to be a failure.  We will drill the next attempt, --no broadcasting.)

       ---The ~75a test plot was seeded to HighClass 730 RR canola along with the remainder of the field.  Following harvest the canola plant lived, in continuous bloom w/o setting pods until sometime in Feb-Mar of 2018.  Is this normal behavior?  As it turned out we had potentially a living root in the ground until March 2018.

SPRING 2018

        The ~75a test field was seeded to a five cultivar mix on 10" rows along with the remainder of the field.  We separated the mix into two parts, large seed and small seed.  We seeded 30# Everleaf 126 forage oats, and 30# horizon forage spring peas on 20" rows, and between those rows on 20" spacing we seeded 10# (small) lentils, 1# white dutch clover, and 2# daikon radish.  Everything came up and is identifiable.  Is there an even distribution of each cultivar?  Hard to tell.  I find a representative plant of each cultivar wherever I look, but now that the radish is blooming I see that there is variation throughout the field.  At ~1month, all legumes are showing nodulation.  We have fairly full ground cover but smaller than I would like.  I wish we had put a little N (10# uran) to jump start the stand.  There is a lot of ground showing yet. 

SUMMARY -- FALL 2018

      (Details were posted on the Home Page 11/23/18)  

       All the cover crop cultivars had a high emergence rate with a good to excellent stand on poor as well as good soil.  The amount of biomass grown represented the type of ground under it.  10#N placed with the seed would have paid big dividends in the poor soil areas.  We did an early takeout this year instead of letting it go to maturity.  The hope was that we could maximize the N retention and minimize water loss.  We used 3 different methods:  Glyphosate, Paraquat, mowing.  Mowing doesn't look like an option for us.  It leaves too many plants untouched and regrowth is quite rapid.  Glyphosate was slow acting.  We liked the Paraquat application.  It was quick acting, thorough coverage, and long lasting.
       We took soil tests from our normal fallow area as well as on the cover crop area.  As usual they are a source of frustration.  Inconsistent, What? that's not right! how can that be?!  The only consistent element is the use of 3" moisture to grow the CC.  I'm disappointed in this because our early takeout should have resulted in less moisture use by the CC.  Well, it's just one piece of data in a short list of try's.  I can see that I should be taking these tests myself.  Even though I have a competent person pulling these tests, I can't be sure they are taken consistently in the same place time after time, and without that knowledge it's difficult for me to analyze the results.

TRAPS (DON'T GO THERE) !!!

     ---Don't plant Triticale for cover or a cash crop in front of wheat crop.  Marketing tolerance for contamination is low.

     ---Be careful of where you plant cultivars prone to develop "hard seed".  You will have plants of that cultivar in your crops for several years.  Plan your rotation so chemistry will be effective in removing those plants.

     ---Don't mix canola and mustards together in a cover mix, or raise a crop of either close behind the other.   We're hearing that there is no contamination tolerance when marketing either a canola or a mustard crop.