Daniel Smith, Matt Ruark, Shawn Conley – University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin Extension
August 2017
Herbicide Considerations for Cover Crop Establishment
Source link here.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-120)
Kansas State University Extension (MF3504)
Introduction
This publication provides a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Start early. Educate yourself. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on your purpose and objectives.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn crop early and use an early maturity corn hybrid. One strategy would be to use a cover crop on the field you usually harvest first, on sloping ground, or on a field where you can watch it regularly, and to plant your earliest maturity hybrid on that field.
- Residual corn herbicides—Cereal rye can be seeded, and a successful stand will occur, in the fall following most of the spring-applied residuals used in corn. However, if cereal rye will be grazed or fed to livestock, there are some restrictions. See the USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (in Resources), or consult your agricultural chemical supplier or agronomist for potential carryover herbicide concerns.
- Seed purchase—Order cereal rye seed early. Named varieties can produce substantially more growth or more predictable growth and maturity but are more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed. Start with VNS seed with a good germination rate that is purchased from a reputable seed dealer. This means seed has been cleaned, tested for germination, and has a seed tag even though it is VNS.
Fall Work
- Corn harvest—Harvest the crop as early as possible in fields to be planted to cereal rye.
- Tillage or no-tillage—To allow for adequate cover crop growth, it is best or easier if no full-width tillage is planned for after rye planting or before intended rye termination date. Thus, it is easier to integrate cover crops into no-till or strip-till systems.
- Timing of planting—Plant cereal rye as soon after corn harvest as possible. Use the Cover Crop Selector Tool (in Resources) to find planting dates for your county. For most of Kansas, plant no later than November 1.
- Seeding rate—The recommended drilled seeding rate is 55 to 60 pounds per acre; if seeded with an airplane, the rates should be 1.5 times the drilled rate (required if participating in USDA-NRCS programs). These rates are based on high-quality seed with germination rates of 85 to 98%. Increase rates with later plantings.
- Planting method—Drill seed 0.75 to 1.50 inches deep or broadcast with shallow incorporation.
- Fertility or liming—If applying P, K, or lime, apply before the seeding operation or apply to the growing rye before the ground freezes. If it is necessary to inject manure, low-disturbance injectors are available that cause minimal damage to the cereal rye. Surface application of liquid manure on top of the rye is not recommended. Ideally, surface broadcast of dry manure or litter should be done before seeding but, if necessary, could be applied to growing cereal rye with minimal damage.
Spring Work
- Scouting—In the spring, scout your cover crop to determine how well it is growing and its coverage. Also, scout to monitor soil moisture; if rainfall is below normal, then earlier termination may be needed to preserve moisture.
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in the spring in compliance with USDA–Risk Management Agency rules:
› Zone 1: Terminate cover crop 35 days or earlier before planting. › Zone 2: Terminate cover crop 15 days or earlier before planting. › Zone 3: Terminate cover crop at or before planting. › Zone 4: Terminate cover crop at or within 5 days after planting but before crop emergence.
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can easily be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (1 pound acid equivalent per acre) after dormancy breaks in the spring. Effectiveness and rapidity of termination improves if rye is rapidly growing and air temperatures are warmer. Tank mixes with products containing metribuzen may antagonize glyphosate performance and may justify an increase in the glyphosate rate.
- Termination modifications for dry weather—Watch the weather and be ready to modify your termination plans, particularly on non-irrigated acres. In a dry spring, the cereal rye cover crop has the potential to use moisture that the cash crop will need, so terminate cover crops sooner to allow rainfall to make up the deficit.
- Termination modifications for wet weather—In a wet spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers. If projected soybean planting is less than 10 days away and the rye is tall, then it often works better to spray within a day or two of planting. It is usually better to either plant into brown dead rye plants or into standing green plants rather than into large, dying, yellow/green (“rubbery”) cereal rye plants that have fallen on the soil surface and formed a mat.
- Soybean planting—It is usually best to no-till plant soybeans into either a dead/dry or standing cereal rye cover crop. Almost all modern planters and drills are fully capable of planting soybeans into a cereal rye cover crop. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure shortly after beginning to plant into the cover crop residue as usually some adjustments are needed.
- Scouting—After soybean planting, scout for soybean emergence and population. Additionally, scout for weeds since substantial cereal rye residue can delay emergence of annual weeds, which may delay the application of post-emergence herbicides.
- Additional guidelines—If you are in one of the major wheat-growing areas of Kansas, watch for equipment contamination to ensure that no rye escapes and goes to seed in your field. Also, make sure you do a thorough and complete burndown in spring to ensure that none of the rye goes to seed.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool, — available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines, available on the USDA–Risk Management Agency website
Authors
DeAnn Presley, Kansas State University; and Vaughn Sothman, Sharp Brothers Seed Company (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Shalamar Armstrong, Purdue University; Marisol Berti, North Dakota State University; Tom Kaspar, USDA–Agricultural Research Service (retired); Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council; Tom Roth, USDA-NRCS; and Anne Verhallen, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
May 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-122)
Iowa State University Extension (CROP 3166)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop into a corn silage–soybean rotation. The early harvest of corn silage provides an extended planting window for establishing a cereal rye cover crop.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Read about cover crops. Go to field days. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on purpose and objectives. Arrange for equipment, custom operators, or additional labor as needed.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant preceding corn silage crop early, and use a hybrid within the adapted maturity range for your location.
- Residual corn herbicides—Cereal rye can be planted in the fall and produce a successful stand following most spring-applied residual corn herbicides. If cereal rye is grazed or harvested for forage, there are some time-interval restrictions. (See Herbicide Use May Restrict Grazing Options for Cover Crops -Resources.)
- Seed purchase—Pre-order cereal rye seed in early summer. Named rye varieties can produce substantially more growth and have predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than variety not stated (VNS) seed. Use good quality seed that has been cleaned, tested for germination and weed seed contamination, and purchased from a reputable seed dealer.
Fall Work
- Corn silage harvest—Prioritize harvest of fields where cereal rye is to be planted.
- Tillage or no-tillage—Generally, it is easier to integrate cover crops into no-till or strip-till systems. If tillage is necessary to smooth the seed bed after corn silage harvest, it should take place as soon as possible and prior to rye seeding.
- Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye as soon as possible after silage harvest. Plant no later than the following dates: October 21 in northern Iowa, October 28 in central Iowa, and November 7 in southern Iowa.
- Seeding rate—Use 55 lbs./acre for drilled seed and 60 lbs./acre for shallow incorporation. Seed should have a germination rate greater than 85%.
- Planting method—Drill to a depth of 0.75–1.50 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation to 1.50 inches.
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in spring when plants are 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing or at least 10 days before planting soybean—whichever comes first. Although this termination timing is recommended for beginners, generally it is not as critical before soybeans as it is before corn. Check current crop insurance rules regarding timing of termination of cover crops. (See NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines -Resources.)
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can typically be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (1 lb. acid equivalent/acre) after the rye begins growing in the spring. Use best management practices for glyphosate to improve effectiveness. Glyphosate will kill rye more quickly if the rye is rapidly growing and temperatures are greater than 55°F during the day and greater than 40°F at night. Rye sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, or will die more slowly.
- Termination modifications for wet weather—In a wet or windy spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers.
- Option to harvest cereal rye as a silage crop—A rye cover crop planted in the fall and harvested at boot stage can provide a substantial amount of good quality forage. However, waiting for cereal rye to reach the boot stage (mid-May to early June) will delay planting of the next soybean crop. If the following soybean crop will be insured, then rye should be terminated and soybean planted before the crop insurance late-planting deadline. (See NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines -Resources.)
- Soybean planting—Almost all modern row planters and drills are fully capable of planting soybean into a dead cereal rye cover crop. Planter adjustments are usually needed to ensure correct planting depth and seed furrow closure.
- Scouting after planting—Scout for soybean emergence, population, and insect pests. Additionally, scout for weeds because substantial cereal rye residue often can delay emergence of annual weeds, which may then delay the application of post-emergence herbicides.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool —available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
Effect of residual herbicides on cover crop establishment (Iowa State Extension and Outreach Integrated Crop Management Encyclopedia Article)
Herbicide Use May Restrict Grazing Options for Cover Crops (Iowa State Extension and Outreach publication CROP 3082, revised January 2017)
NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (version 4, June 2019)—available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Planting Winter Rye after Corn Silage: Managing for Forage, J. Stute, K. Shelley, D. Mueller, and T. Wood. 2009.
Cover Crop Management (Iowa Agronomy Technical Note 38)—available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Post Soybean, Going to Corn: Use Oats (Iowa Cover Crop Recipe series, MCCC-104)
Post Corn, Going to Soybean: Use Cereal Rye (Iowa Cover Crop Recipe series, MCCC-103)
Authors
Tom Kaspar, USDA-ARS (retired); and Mark Licht, Iowa State University (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Stefan Gailans, Practical Farmers of Iowa; Michael Henderson and Kevin Kuhn, USDA-NRCS; Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; Keith Kohler, USDA-ARS; Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council; and Matt Ruark, Kevin Shelley, and Dan Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Acknowledgments
This publication was developed with contributions and collaboration from Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
March 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-121)
Iowa State University Extension (CROP 3165)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach for planting a cover crop after corn silage harvest and then planting corn for grain or silage as the next crop. The early harvest of corn silage provides an extended planting window for establishing a cereal rye cover crop.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Read about cover crops. Go to field days. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on purpose and objectives. Arrange for equipment, custom operators, or additional labor as needed.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn silage crop early, and use a hybrid within the adapted maturity range for your location.
- Residual corn herbicides—Cereal rye can be planted in the fall and produce a successful stand following most spring-applied residual corn herbicides. If cereal rye is to be grazed or harvested for forage, there are some time-interval restrictions. (See Herbicide Use May Restrict Grazing Options for Cover Crops -Resources.)
- Seed purchase—Pre-order cereal rye seed in early summer. Named rye varieties can produce substantially more growth and have predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than variety not stated (VNS) seed. Use good quality seed that has been cleaned, tested for germination and weed seed contamination, and purchased from a reputable seed dealer.
Fall Work
- Corn silage harvest—Prioritize harvest of fields where cereal rye is to be planted.
- Tillage or no-tillage—Generally, it is easier to integrate cover crops into no-till or strip-till systems. If tillage is necessary to incorporate manure, fertilizer, or lime, or to smooth the seed bed after corn silage harvest, it should take place prior to rye seeding.
- Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye as soon as possible after silage harvest. Plant no later than the following dates: October 21 in northern Iowa, October 28 in central Iowa, and November 7 in southern Iowa.
- Seeding rate—Use 55 lbs./acre for drilled seed and 60 lbs./acre for shallow incorporation. Seed should have a germination rate greater than 85%.
- Planting method—Drill to a depth of 0.75–1.50 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation to 1.50 inches.
- Manure, P, K, or lime—For best rye establishment, any manure, P, K, or lime should be injected, subsurface banded, or surface applied and incorporated before planting the cover crop. Manure can also be injected with a low-disturbance applicator after the rye cover crop is at least 4 inches tall, but significant damage to the cover crop may occur. Surface-applying granular P, K, or lime before the ground completely freezes can be done with minimal cover crop damage if the soil is not too wet.
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in spring when plants are 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing or at least 10 days before planting corn—whichever comes first. Check current crop insurance rules regarding timing of termination of cover crops. (See NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines -Resources.)
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can typically be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (1 lb. acid equivalent/acre) after the rye begins growing in the spring. Use best management practices for glyphosate to improve effectiveness. Glyphosate will kill rye more quickly if the rye is rapidly growing and temperatures are greater than 55°F during the day and greater than 40°F at night. Rye sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, or will die more slowly.
- Termination modifications for wet weather—In a wet or windy spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers.
- Option to harvest cereal rye as a silage crop—A rye cover crop planted in the fall and harvested at boot stage can provide a substantial amount of good quality forage. However, waiting for cereal rye to reach the boot stage (mid-May to early June) will delay planting of the next corn crop and may decrease its yield. If the following corn crop will be insured, then rye should be terminated and corn planted before the crop insurance late-planting deadline. (See Resources.)
- Corn planting—Almost all modern row planters are fully capable of planting corn into a dead cereal rye cover crop. Row cleaner attachments can sometimes be beneficial to increase soil warming, but setting them too deep can cause problems. Planter adjustments are usually needed to ensure correct planting depth and seed furrow closure.
- Starter fertilizer—Consider equipping your corn planter with a 2×2 starter fertilizer applicator and aim for a starter fertilizer rate between 30–50 pounds of actual N per acre.
- Scouting after planting—Scout for corn emergence, population, and insect pests. Additionally, scout for weeds because substantial cereal rye residue can often delay emergence of annual weeds, which may then delay the application of post-emergence herbicides.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool —available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
Effect of residual herbicides on cover crop establishment (Iowa State Extension and Outreach Integrated Crop Management Encyclopedia Article)
Herbicide Use May Restrict Grazing Options for Cover Crops (Iowa State Extension and Outreach publication CROP 3082, revised January 2017)
NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (version 4, June 2019)—available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Planting Winter Rye after Corn Silage: Managing for Forage, J. Stute, K. Shelley, D. Mueller, and T. Wood. 2009.
Cover Crop Management (Iowa Agronomy Technical Note 38)—available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Post Soybean, Going to Corn: Use Oats (Iowa Cover Crop Recipe series, MCCC-104)
Post Corn, Going to Soybean: Use Cereal Rye (Iowa Cover Crop Recipe series, MCCC-103)
Authors
Tom Kaspar, USDA-ARS (retired); and Mark Licht, Iowa State University (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Stefan Gailans, Practical Farmers of Iowa; Michael Henderson and Kevin Kuhn, USDA-NRCS; Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; Keith Kohler, USDA-ARS; Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council; and Matt Ruark, Kevin Shelley, and Dan Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Acknowledgments
This publication was developed with contributions and collaboration from Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
March 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-119)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop into a corn silage-soybean rotation.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Read about cover crops. Go to field days. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on purpose and objectives.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn silage crop early and use a hybrid within the adapted maturity range for your location.
- Residual corn herbicides—Cereal rye can be planted in the fall and produce a successful stand following most spring-applied residual corn herbicides. If cereal rye is to be grazed or harvested for forage, there are some time-interval restrictions. (See Resources.)
- Seed purchase—Order cereal rye seed early, usually by early summer. Named rye varieties can produce substantially more growth and have predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed. Use good quality seed from a reputable seed dealer.
Fall Work
- Corn silage harvest—Harvest fields where cereal rye is to be planted as early as possible.
- Fall manure—Manure applications supplying high rates of nitrogen are not recommended when soybean is the next crop. Small amounts may be permitted. If you need to apply manure, apply it as soon after corn silage harvest as possible and drill-seed cover crops after manure is applied.
- Tillage or no-tillage—Generally, it is easier to integrate cover crops into no-till or strip-till systems. If tillage is necessary to incorporate manure or smooth the seedbed after corn silage harvest, it should take place prior to rye seeding.
- Timing of planting—Plant cereal rye as soon as possible after corn harvest and at least two weeks before the average hard frost date (28°F). If planting later than mid-October, consider increasing the seeding rate.
- Seeding rate—Seed at a rate of 40–60 lb./acre (assuming a germination rate of 85% or greater). Seeding rates should be increased by 20% if broadcasting and increased by 10% if broadcasting and incorporating. Also increase the rate if the rye will be harvested as a silage crop in the spring.
- Planting method—Drill to a depth of 0.75–1.50 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation to less than 1.50 inches. Aerial or other broadcast seeding is an option for earlier establishment into standing corn with some risk. Harvest should be planned within two weeks of seeding. Overly wet or dry conditions after aerial seeding or presence of slugs will limit success.
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in spring when the plants are 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing or at least 10 days before planting soybean—whichever comes first. In a wet or windy spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers. Be familiar with the rules related to termination timing and crop insurance. (See NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines in Resources.)
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can easily be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (1 lb. acid equivalent/acre) after the rye begins growing in the spring. Effectiveness and rapidity of termination improves if rye is rapidly growing and air temperatures are warmer (> 60°F). Larger rye, rye past the boot stage, or rye sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, or will die more slowly. Use best management practices for glyphosate to improve effectiveness.
- Option to harvest cereal rye as a silage crop—Some growers may be interested in harvesting cereal rye as an additional silage crop. Make sure all herbicide rules are followed. Also, this may delay the planting date of soybean. Any fall-applied nutrients can be counted toward the cereal rye crop in nutrient management planning. (See Planting Winter Rye after Corn Silage: Managing for Forage in Resources.) Use a full burndown rate of glyphosate to completely terminate the rye regrowth after harvest. Termination must be done prior to emergence of the subsequent crop for crop insurance eligibility in Wisconsin.
- Soybean planting—It is usually easiest to no-till plant soybean into the dead, brown cereal rye cover crop. Row cleaner attachments can sometimes be beneficial to increase soil warming but may plug with cover crop residue if not set up properly. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure shortly after beginning to plant and make adjustments as needed.
- Scouting after planting—Scout for soybean emergence, population, and insect pests. Additionally, scout for weeds because substantial cereal rye residue may delay emergence of annual weeds, which may then delay the application of post-emergence herbicides.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool —available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
Cover Crops 101 (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension publication A4176)
Herbicide Rotational Restrictions for Cover and Forage Cropping Systems (University of Wisconsin–Madison Nutrient and Pest Management publication)
NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (version 4, June 2019)—available from the USDA–National Resources Conservation Service
Cover Crops, Manure, and Nitrogen Management (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension publication A4178)
Planting Winter Rye after Corn Silage: Managing for Forage (University of Wisconsin–Madison Nutrient and Pest Management publication)
Termination of Winter Rye and Annual Ryegrass Using Glyphosate (University of Wisconsin–Madison Nutrient and Pest Management publication)
Authors
Matt Ruark, Daniel H. Smith, and Kevin Shelley, University of Wisconsin–Madison (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Brian Briski, USDA-NRCS; Jason Cavadini, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Tom Kaspar, USDA-ARS (retired); Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; and Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
January 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-118)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop after corn silage harvest and planting corn for grain or silage as the next crop.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Read about cover crops. Go to field days. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on purpose and objectives.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn silage crop early and use a hybrid within the adapted maturity range for your location.
- Residual corn herbicides—Cereal rye can be planted in the fall and produce a successful stand following most spring-applied residual corn herbicides. If cereal rye is to be grazed or harvested for forage, there are some time-interval restrictions. (See Resources.)
- Seed purchase—Order cereal rye seed early, usually by early summer. Named rye varieties can produce substantially more growth and have predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed. Use good quality seed from a reputable seed dealer.
Fall Work
- Corn silage harvest—Harvest fields where cereal rye is to be planted as early as possible.
- Fall manure—It generally works best to plant cover crops following manure application via injection or surface application and incorporation. Manure can also be injected with a low-disturbance applicator after the rye cover crop is at least 4 inches tall. Other application methods into or onto an established cereal rye may result in significant damage to the rye.
- Tillage or no-tillage—Generally, it is easier to integrate cover crops into no-till or strip-till systems. If tillage is necessary to incorporate manure or smooth the seedbed after corn silage harvest, it should take place prior to rye seeding.
- Timing of planting—Plant cereal rye as soon as possible after corn harvest and at least two weeks before the average hard frost date (28°F). If planting later than mid-October, consider increasing the seeding rate.
- Seeding rate—Seed at a rate of 40–60 lb./acre (assuming a germination rate of 85% or greater). Seeding rates should be increased by 20% if broadcasting and increased by 10% if broadcasting and incorporating. Also increase the rate if the rye will be harvested as a silage crop in the spring.
- Planting method—Drill to a depth of 0.75–1.50 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation to less than 1.50 inches. Aerial or other broadcast seeding is an option for earlier establishment into standing corn with some risk. Harvest should be planned within two weeks of seeding. Overly wet or dry conditions after aerial seeding or presence of slugs will limit success.
- Other fall operations—Surface applying P, K, or lime before the ground freezes can be done without harming the cover crop too much if the soil is not too wet, although some damage may occur in the wheel tracks.
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in the spring when plants are 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing or at least 10 days before planting corn—whichever comes first. In a wet or windy spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers. Be familiar with the rules related to termination timing and crop insurance. (See NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines in Resources.)
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can easily be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (1 lb. acid equivalent/acre) after the rye begins growing in the spring. Effectiveness and rapidity of termination improves if rye is rapidly growing and air temperatures are warmer (> 60°F). Larger rye, rye past the boot stage, or rye sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, or will die more slowly. Use best management practices for glyphosate to improve effectiveness.
- High cereal rye biomass considerations—If cereal rye biomass exceeds one-half ton/acre (dry matter), apply N toward the higher side of the application guidelines and apply at or before planting. If manure was applied in the fall prior to cover crop planting, cereal rye biomass in excess of 1 ton/acre (dry matter) may reduce or eliminate the amount of N available for the next corn crop. (See Cover Crops, Manure, and Nitrogen Management in Resources.) In this case, consider harvesting the cereal rye for silage or switching from corn to soybean.
- Option to harvest cereal rye as a silage crop—Some growers may be interested in harvesting cereal rye as an additional silage crop. Make sure all herbicide rules are followed. Also, this will typically delay the planting date for the next silage crop, but any fall-applied nutrients can be counted toward the cereal rye crop in nutrient management planning. (See Planting Winter Rye after Corn Silage: Managing for Forage in Resources.) Use a full burndown rate of glyphosate to completely terminate the rye regrowth after harvest. Termination must be done prior to emergence of the subsequent crop for crop insurance eligibility in Wisconsin.
- Corn planting—Proper planter adjustment and maintenance is critical to achieve success when planting into cover crop residue. Under most conditions, no-till planting of corn is the best management practice; modern no-till planter setups can handle planting into grass cover crop biomass. Row cleaner attachments can sometimes be beneficial to increase soil warming but may plug with cover crop residue if not set up properly. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure shortly after beginning to plant and make adjustments as needed.
- Starter fertilizer—Consider equipping your corn planter with a 2×2 starter fertilizer applicator and aim for a nitrogen rate of 30–50 lb./acre. Also consider moving up the timing of in-season N applications.
- Scouting after planting—Scout for corn emergence, population, and insect pests after planting. Additionally, scout for weeds because substantial rye residue may delay emergence of annual weeds, which may then delay the application of post-emergence herbicides.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool —available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
Cover Crops 101 (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension publication A4176)
Herbicide Rotational Restrictions for Cover and Forage Cropping Systems (University of Wisconsin–Madison Nutrient and Pest Management publication)
NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (version 4, June 2019)—available from the USDA–National Resources Conservation Service
Cover Crops, Manure, and Nitrogen Management (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension publication A4178)
Planting Winter Rye after Corn Silage: Managing for Forage (University of Wisconsin–Madison Nutrient and Pest Management publication)
Termination of Winter Rye and Annual Ryegrass Using Glyphosate (University of Wisconsin–Madison Nutrient and Pest Management publication)
Authors
Matt Ruark, Daniel H. Smith, and Kevin Shelley, University of Wisconsin–Madison (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Brian Briski, USDA-NRCS; Jason Cavadini, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Tom Kaspar, USDA-ARS (retired); Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; and Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
January 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-116)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop into a corn-soybean rotation. Planting a cover crop ahead of a soybean cash crop is often the easiest way to introduce cover crops into your rotation.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Educate yourself. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on your purpose and objectives.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn crop early and use an early maturity corn hybrid. One strategy is to use a cover crop on the field you usually harvest first, on sloping ground, or on a field where you can watch it regularly, and to plant your earliest maturity hybrid on that field.
- Residual corn herbicides—Cereal rye can be seeded and a successful stand will occur in the fall following most of the spring-applied residuals used in corn. However, if cereal rye will be grazed or fed to livestock, there are some restrictions (see Resources section).
- Seed purchase—Order cereal rye seed early. Named varieties have more predictable growth but are more expensive. Start with VNS (variety not stated) seed with a good germination rate purchased from a reputable seed dealer. Note that this means the seed has been cleaned and has a certified lab-tested germination tag. Seeding rate calculations are based on one of two factors: pure live seed (PLS) or seed count. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) calculations for Ohio are based on PLS for compensation.
Fall Work
- Corn harvest—Harvest fields where cereal rye is to be planted as early as possible.
- Tillage or no-tillage—To allow for adequate cover crop growth, it is best or easier if full-width tillage is minimized before rye planting or before the intended rye termination date. To achieve maximum benefits, integrate cover crops into no-till or strip-till systems.
- Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye as soon after harvest as possible. In northern Ohio, this would be before November 1; in southern Ohio, before November 15. Use the Selector Tool for more precise dates for your county.
- Seeding rate—Drilled seeding rate: 40–60 lbs./acre PLS. Broadcast with shallow incorporation: 45–65 lbs./acre PLS. Ohio NRCS approves broadcasting without incorporation if the PLS rate is increased by 20%. (See Calculating Pure Live Seed section below.)
- Planting method—Drill to 0.75–1.50 inches deep, broadcast with shallow incorporation, or surface broadcast. An air-seeder mounted on a vertical tillage tool can also be used. Seed-to-soil contact is important with cereal rye stands.
- Fertility or liming—If applying P, K, or lime, complete the application prior to the seeding operation or apply to the growing rye before the ground freezes. If it is necessary to inject manure, low-disturbance injectors are available that will cause minimal damage to the cereal rye. Surface application of liquid manure on top of the rye is not recommended until the rye is 3 inches tall. See the current NRCS Standard Practice 590 for manure application rates in Ohio. Surface broadcast of dry manure or litter should be done prior to seeding, but 4 tons or less can be applied to growing cereal rye with minimal damage by using modern spreading equipment that provides even distribution.
height (shown here). (Eileen Kladivko)
Spring Work
- Early season scouting—In the spring, scout your cover crop to determine how well it is growing and its coverage. But if rainfall is below normal, scout also to monitor soil moisture in case earlier termination is needed. Watch for vole and/or slug damage.
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in the spring when plants are 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing or about two weeks before planting soybean—whichever comes first. Many growers will successfully plant soybean into terminated cereal rye much taller than 12 inches or even terminate cereal rye after planting soybean, especially if weed control is a primary purpose, but new cover crop users should terminate when the cereal rye is smaller (see Figure 1).
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can easily be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (minimum of 1 lb. acid equivalent [ae]/acre) after dormancy breaks in the spring. Effectiveness and rapidity of termination improves if rye is rapidly growing and air temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Larger rye, rye past the boot stage, or rye sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill or will die more slowly.
- Termination modifications for dry weather—Watch the weather and be ready to modify your termination plans. In a dry spring, the cereal rye cover crop has the potential to use moisture that the cash crop will need, so terminate cover crops sooner.
- Termination modifications for wet weather—In a wet spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers. If projected soybean planting is less than 10 days away and the rye is tall, then it often works better to spray within a day or two of planting. It is usually better to plant either into brown, dead rye plants or into standing green plants rather than into large, dying, yellow/green (“rubbery”) cereal rye plants that have fallen on the soil surface and formed a mat. See publication AY-353-W (in Resources section) for more details.
- Soybean planting—It is usually best to no-till plant soybeans into the dead/dry or standing cereal rye cover crop. Almost all modern planters and no-till drills are fully capable of planting soybean into a cereal rye cover crop. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure as some adjustments may be needed. Avoid drilling soybeans if the seed slot will not close due to wet soils.
- Scouting after planting—After soybean planting, scout for soybean emergence and population. Additionally, scout for weeds since substantial cereal rye residue can often delay the emergence of annual weeds, which may delay the application of post-emergence herbicides.
Calculating Pure Live Seed
For more information on calculating pure live seed (PLS), visit Calculating the Price of Pure Live Seed, a Penn State Extension website.
Resources
Herbicide Rotation Restrictions in Forage and Cover Cropping Systems (University of Wisconsin Extension publication)
Cover Crop Selector Tool, — available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
Sustainable Crop Rotations with Cover Crops (Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet SAG-9)
Timing of Cover Crop Termination and Related Factors (University of Nebraska–Lincoln website)
Managing Cover Crops: An Introduction to Integrating Cover Crops into a Corn-Soybean Rotation (Purdue Extension publication AY-353-W)
Authors
Sarah Noggle, Ohio State University Extension; and James J. Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Jason Hartschuh, Ohio State University Extension; Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council; Eric Richer, Ohio State University Extension; Alan Sundermeier, Ohio State University Extension
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
January 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-114)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
Fitting cover crops into a corn-soybean rotation in Minnesota can be challenging due to weather constraints that result in a short growing season. Typically, there is little to no time to plant a cover crop and have appreciable growth after corn grain or soybean harvest. Planting a cover crop after small grains, a canning crop, or corn silage will often provide a wider window for establishment before a killing freeze. Since the dominant cropping system in Minnesota is the two-year corn-soybean rotation, this recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating a cereal rye cover crop into the corn year of the rotation.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Educate yourself. Go to field days, learn from farmers who are currently planting cover crops, read about cover crops, check out University of Minnesota cover crop research, and work with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District. Start small, and choose a field that has low weed pressure to create the best conditions for success. Consult with your crop insurance representative to ensure planned practices will not affect your insurance coverage.
- Corn planting—It may be useful to avoid late-maturity hybrids when planning to interseed a cover crop as this could allow an earlier planting date for the cover crop (if seeding in the fall) and more time for establishment prior to winter.
- Residual herbicides—Manage for optimal weed control when adding a cover crop to your cropping system. Although commonly used herbicides in a corn-soybean rotation can negatively impact cover crop establishment, cereal rye can tolerate many of these herbicides. However, if the cereal rye is to be grazed or used for feed or forage, you must follow the rotational crop restrictions listed on the label of any applied herbicides. (In the Resources section, see Managing Risk When Using Herbicides and Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean.)
- Seed purchase—Order cover crop seed early from a reputable source. Use good-quality tagged seed that has been cleaned and tested for germination and weed seed contamination. Avoid planting seed of unknown origin and quality. Named varieties can produce greater growth and have more predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed.
Fall Work
- Interseeding into corn—To maximize rye growth and soil protection, planting rye into standing corn around the R5 (dent) to R6 (physiological maturity) stage of corn is ideal. At this point, the corn canopy is starting to open, which will allow more sunlight to reach the ground to aid in cereal rye establishment. Broadcast seed by ground using a high-clearance seeder or by air using a plane or helicopter.
- Planting after harvest—Alternatively, rye can be drilled after corn, although not too much growth will be attained. Plant the cereal rye to a recommended depth of 0.75 to 1.50 inches. Drilling allows for good seed-to-soil contact and enhanced establishment as compared to broadcasting seed. Adequate moisture after seeding will aid in successful establishment.
- Seeding rate—For broadcasting cereal rye, use a minimum seeding rate of 83 lbs./acre of pure live seed (PLS). If drilling, use a minimum seeding rate of around 55 lbs./acre of PLS. If you receive funding from an agency or organization to plant a cover crop, double-check with them to ensure your seeding rate complies with any standards they might have.
- Strip-tillage or no-tillage—It is easier to incorporate cover crops into a corn-soybean rotation when soybeans are no-tilled or strip-tillage is used. Full-width tillage in the fall will not allow for much cover crop growth, thus eliminating many of the potential benefits of planting a cover crop.
Spring Work
- Scouting—In the spring, scout the cereal rye cover crop to determine how well it is growing. If rainfall is below normal or the long-term weather forecast calls for a drier season, monitor soil moisture in case earlier termination is needed.
- Termination timing—Terminate the cereal rye in the spring when plants are actively growing and no more than 12 inches tall or at least 10 days prior to planting soybean—whichever comes first. Cereal rye can grow quickly in warm weather and be more difficult to control once it reaches the boot stage or is taller than 18 inches. Allowing at least 10 days between termination and planting will help ensure successful control. Check with your insurance agent to be sure you are in compliance with USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (see Resources).
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can be easily terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (minimum of 1 lb. acid equivalent [ae]/acre) after dormancy breaks in the spring. Effectiveness and rapidity of termination improves if rye is rapidly growing, applications are made on a sunny day, and air temperatures are warmer (>60°F during the day and >40°F at night). Applications should be made during the day and at least four hours prior to sunset.
- Soybean planting—It is usually best to no-till plant soybean into the dead or dying cereal rye cover crop. Most modern planters and drills are fully capable of planting soybean under these conditions. If wet or windy weather delays termination of the cereal rye prior to planting, it may be better to plant into standing green plants versus into large plants that are dead or dying and that have fallen onto the soil surface, forming a thick mat of residue. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure shortly after beginning to plant in case any planter adjustments are needed.
Resources
University of Minnesota Extension Cover Crops Website
Post Soybean, Going to Corn: Use Oats (Minnesota Cover Crop Recipe series, MCCC-115)—available from the Midwest Cover Crops Council
USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines
Managing Risk When Using Herbicides and Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean (University of Minnesota Extension)
Cover Crops and Federal Crop Insurance (USDA Risk Management Agency Fact Sheet)
Authors
Lizabeth Stahl, University of Minnesota Extension; Anna Cates, University of Minnesota Extension; Axel Garcia y Garcia, University of Minnesota Extension; and M. Scott Wells, University of Minnesota Extension (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Marisol Berti, North Dakota State University; Frank Forcella, USDA-ARS; Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council; and Bruce Potter, University of Minnesota Extension
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
October 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2019 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Abbey Wick – North Dakota State University
May 2019
Managing cereal rye in the spring
Source link here.
Joel Ransom, David Franzen, Andrew Friskop, and Kelli Anderson – North Dakota State University
April, 2019
NDSU Extension Offers Rye Management Advice
Source link here.