As farmers begin to plant corn and soybeans many of those fields have had crops growing in them all winter long and new efforts could expand the use of cover crops to enhance and protect the soil.
“Whether it's holding back blowing dust, keeping soil warmer when microbial activity heats up, there are all these benefits we've seen over time,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, a corn farmer and member of the National Corn Growers Association corn board.
He has seen the benefits on the family farm in Hamilton County whether that’s retaining water or improving organic matter.
“Strong increase in soil microbial activity which has a circular benefit, how do they tie together to see those benefits play better,” he said.
But there can be a limited window to get those cover crops planted after corn is picked.
“After harvest it's harder to get cover crops established. Can we get them growing during the season so something survives,” said Extension Educator Jenny Rees.
“There's that challenge of timing and what does that look like. Late harvest, can you get something in that will be a benefit,” Hunnicutt said.
Hunnicutt said he’s blessed to have partnered with Nebraska Extension for on-farm research to find ways to establish those cover crops earlier.
“Can we get to the point where we have things that survive, provide nitrogen, provide weed control, provide erosion control, provide grazing at the end of the season,” Rees said during an interview last year while planting cover crops.
University scientists say cover crops can reduce fertilizer costs by fixing nitrogen in the soil and continue to study the impact on yields. Hunnicutt said they continue to research what works best.
“What’s the good, bad, ugly of it,” he said.
Multiple studies back the practice and now the USDA is funding millions for an initiative called Farmers for Soil Health backed by the National Corn Growers Association, Soybean Checkoff and Pork Checkoff.
“Figure out how to get more farmers to implement cover crops. It's part of the climate smart commodities grant from USDA,” Hunnicutt said.
Source: foxnebraska.com
Photo Credit: minnesota-corn-growers-association
Categories: Nebraska, Crops