1. Economics of Cover Crops
Jack C Boyer
J Boyer Farms, Inc.
Reinbeck, IA
Version: 02/06/2016
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2. Outline Short history of the farm Why cover crops?
Research Project Update
Seed Corn CC Seeding Date vs Biomass/N capture
Cover Crop Termination Date vs SB Yield
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3. Farm History
Home Farm is a Century Farm with 60+ years of Seed Corn History
Soils – Tama, Colo, & Sawmill silty loam
Pulled out of Seed Corn to Commercial Corn every 5-7 years for residue recovery
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4. Why Cover Crops? $ $ $ $ $ $ $ N P Version: 12/10/2015
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5. Why Cover Crops? What are your top 3 goals for Cover Crops?
Build OM / Soil Health
Erosion control
Recycle Nutrients
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6. Why Cover Crops? Build Organic Matter / Soil Health 1% OM
~ 1 acre inch of water holding capacity
27,000 gallons of water
Improved infiltration
Version: 07/10/2016
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7. What is Soil Health? Chemical Physical Biological Soil Health
Aggregation & Structure
Surface Sealing
Compaction
Porosity
Water Movement & Availability
Chemical pH
Soluble Salts
Sodium
Nutrient Holding Capacity
Nutrient Availability
Biological
Macrofauna
Microfauna
Microorganisms
Roots
Biological Activity
Organic Matter
Soil Health
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8. What is Soil Health? Sustain Biological Productivity
Maintain Environmental Quality
Promote Plant, Animal and Human Health
Version: 12/10/2015
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9. Why Cover Crops? Reduce Erosion Version: 07/10/2016
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10. = 53.9% Reduction in Soil Loss
2015 Study by ISU Capstone Class
2 parcels – 71 ac
Conventional till & some waterways
Current: 173 tons/year
2015 Study by ISU Capstone Class
2 parcels – 71 ac
Conventional till & some waterways + Cover Crops
Cover Crops: 80.7 tons/year
Devin
= 53.9% Reduction in Soil Loss

11. = 97.2% Reduction in Soil Loss
Current: 173 tons/year
2015 Study by ISU Capstone Class
2 parcels – 71 ac
Conventional till & some waterways
2015 Study by ISU Capstone Class
2 parcels – 71 ac
No- till, waterways as before, & Cover Crops
Combined Solutions: 4.9 tons/year
Devin
= 97.2% Reduction in Soil Loss

12. Why Cover Crops?
Recycle Nutrients/Improve Water Quality

13. Soil Organic Matter/Soil Carbon
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14. Seed Corn-Cover Crop Seeding Date Trial
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15. Cover Crop Seeding Date Trial
1st seeding 8/19/2014
2nd Seeding 8/29/2014
3rd Drilled 9/25/2014
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16. Cover Crop Seeding Date Trial1 2
Spring Sampling 5/3/15 3
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17. CC Seeding Date - Biomass
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18. Available N Version: 02/06/2016
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19. CC Seeding Date N capture Haney Soil Test Results
Average 66.5# more available N with covers
Potential Value N $29-$37/acre
C:N
Available N-P-K:
These numbers represent the amount of N, P2O5, and K2O present in your soil in lb/ac. The numbers include the inorganic NH4-N, NO3-N, and PO4-P from the H3A extractant, as well as the amount of N and P that the soil microbes will provide based on soil microbial activity (Solvita® 1-day CO2-C), the organic C: organic N ratio, and the N and P from the organic pools.
Desired C:N 8-15:1
>20 Nutrient tie up
C:N
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20. Cover Crop Termination Date
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21. Cover Crop Termination Date
2nd termination 5/19/2015 was 3 pt/ac
Drilling SB 5/18/2015
1st termination 5/9/2015 was 2.75 pt/ac. .
Photos all taken 5/18/2015
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22. Cover Crop Termination Date
Photo 5/27/15
1st termination 5/9/2015 was 2.75 pt/ac.
.Lighter colored strips
2nd termination 5/19/2015 was 3 pt/ac
Tan strips
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23. Cover Crop Termination Date
Photo June 16, 2015 No significant difference in stand counts Weed pressure much higher in no cover strips (center photo) Sprayed No Cover Areas 7/3/15. Cost ~$40/ac
Rye Cover
Early Termination
No Cover
Rye Cover
Late Termination
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24. Cover Crop Termination Date
No significant difference in yield
~$30 cost of Cover Crop w/application
~$40 savings in Herbicide and application
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25. Beginning Cover Crop Planting Principals
Start small.
Start with a single species rather than a mixture.
Learn from others who are already using cover crops.
Consider your location, cropping system, climate, and farm operation when evaluating cover crop information on the Internet or in farm media.
Consider planting some acres of cash crop varieties with earlier maturities than you normally use.
Plant easy-to-manage cover crops.
Take advantage of decision tools and local expertise.
MCCC Cover Crop Selection Tool
Green Cover Seed Smartmix
Ref: Integrating Cover Crops in Soybean Rotations, Midwest Cover Crops Council
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26. http://www. ars. usda. gov/services/software/263/CCC%202016_1. 22
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27. Source: http://www.agphd.com/resources/cover-crops-and-their-uses/
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28. Summary Seed Corn Project Greatest benefits are Long Term
Significant N was captured for following crop use
Earlier cover crop establishment will improve growth & nutrient capture
Greatest benefits are Long Term
Erosion, more short Term
Soil Health, longer term
Feed the underground Livestock
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29. Questions?
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