Managing Cover Crops Profitably - Valley Crops Home

Then seed the remainder while walking in perpendicular
directions so you crisscross the plot in
a gridlike pattern.
If broadcasting by hand, use a similar distribution
pattern.With small seed, mix in sand or fresh
cat litter to avoid seeding too much at a time.
G. Collect data. Start a trial notebook or binder
for data and observations.
Management information could include:
• field location
• field history (crops, herbicides, amendments,
unusual circumstances, etc.)
• plot dimensions
• field preparation and seeding method
• planting date and weather conditions
• rainfall after planting
• timing and method of killing the cover crop
• general comments.
Growth data for each plot might include:
• germination rating (excellent, OK, poor, etc.),
seven to 14 days after seeding
• early growth or vigor rating, a month after
establishment
• periodic height and ground cover estimates,
before killing or mowing
• periodic weed assessments
• a biomass or yield rating
Also rate residue before planting the next crop.
Rate survival of winter annuals in early spring as
they break dormancy and begin to grow. If you
plan to mow-kill an annual, log an approximate
flowering date. Regrowth could occur if most of
the crop is still vegetative.
Rate overall weather and record dates such as
first frost. Note anything you think has a bearing
on the outcome, such as weed infestations.
If time allows, try killing the cover crops and
continuing your expected rotation, at least on a
small scale.You might need hand tools or a lawn
mower. Use field markers to identify plots.
H. Choose the best species for the whole
farm system. Not sure which covers did best
Whatever you found, don’t be satisfied with only
a single year’s results. Weather and management
will vary over time.
Assess performance by asking some of the
questions you answered about the cover niche
(see Selecting the Best Cover Crops for your
Farm, p. 12). Also ask if a cover:
• was easy to establish and manage
• performed its primary function well
• avoided competing excessively with the primary
crop
• seemed versatile
• is likely to do well under different conditions
• fits your equipment and labor constraints
• provides options that could make it even
more affordable
In year two, expand the scale. Test your bestperforming
cover as well as a runner-up. With
field crops, try one-acre plots; stick with smaller
plots for high-value crops. Also try any options
that might improve the cover stand or its benefits.
Entries for the major cover crops in this book
include some management tips that can help.
Record your observations faithfully.
I. Fine-tune and be creative. Odds are, you
won’t be completely satisfied with one or more
details of your “best” cover. You might need to
sacrifice some potential benefits to make a
cover work better in your farm system. For
example, killing a cover earlier than you’d like
will reduce the amount of biomass or N it
provides, but could ensure you plant summer
crops on time.
In most cases, fine-tuning your management
also makes it more affordable.Lowering a seeding
rate or shifting the seeding date also could reduce
the tillage needed. Narrower rows might hinder
establishment of an overseeded legume but
reduce weeds and bump up the cash crop yield.
Finding a regionally adapted variety of a given
species could simplify management—but also
might have you looking around for a better cash
crop variety.
Don’t expect all of a cover’s benefits to show
up in yearly economic analyses.Some benefits are
hard to assess in dollars.
When talking to other farmers, seed suppliers
and agricultural experts, tell them about your
cover cropping experiences and ask for suggestions
and ideas. Your best covers may seem
TESTING COVER CROPS 157