COVER CROPS MANAGEMENT TEMPLATES IN RUSLE2

Objectives How to build management file in RUSLE2 that includes cover crops, Location of management files that are already available in two locations, Discuss common mistakes that create problems and how to identify them.

Four main concepts with cover crops are: you have to get it planted, tell the program what you planted, release it after harvest if interseeding and kill it in the spring if winter hardy or put a “winter killed annual crop” if it is not winter hardy.

Establish Cover Crop Must establish the cover crop – plant, – drill, – aerial, – interseed, or – broadcast

Type of Cover Crop You must include the type of cover crop to be grown in the vegetation file. Now you have to add a vegetation file. Select rye, winter cover crop, Mid Oct seeding

Release Interseeded Cover Crop If seeding into a standing crop you must release the cover crop after harvest of main crop. Do not use “Harvest, kill crop, 50pct standing stubble” but use “Harvest, kill crop, 50 pct standing stubble, release cover crop”

Do not include any fall tillage operation, most have a kill crop and will destroy the cover crop.

Kill Cover Crop Kill the cover crop in the spring by using a tillage operation that includes a kill operation in it or include a “Spray Kill Crop or Spray Kill cover in growing Crop”. For non-winter hardy cover crops use the “winter kill annual crop” operation in November.

Cover Crop Mgmt files located b. Multiyear rotation

Two locations

Pit Falls Make sure you have the appropriate number of years in the rotation. Corn, Beans with cover crops is still only 2 years.

Pit Falls Check any tillage operation for a kill process Fert Anhydr Fert Broadcast

Pit Falls Make sure you include a planting operation that asks you to add a vegetation file. Use aerial interseed when aerial seeding cover crops. Make sure you do not kill the cover crop when you harvest the main crop.

Cover Crops Benefits More Than Just Soil Erosion!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all Its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (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 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

How Cover Crops Improve Soil Health Build Organic Matter Increase Water Infiltration Reduce Soil Compaction Boost Microbial Activity

Other Cover Crop Benefits Attract beneficial insects & pollinators Pest Suppression Wildlife Habitat Forage for Grazing/Hay

Good CC Resources  Managing Cover Crops Profitably 3 rd Edition  Midwest Cover Crop Council  Practical Farmers of Iowa  Accumulation of Articles  Detailed species information