Eastern Iowa Farmer Spring 2017

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managing your soil eastern iowa farmer photo / brooke taylor Developing Deep Roots with cover crops Cover crops have the potential to increase soil organic matter and the biodiversity of organisms in the soil. This increase is greater where less tillage is used to establish the cover crop and more growth is allowed prior to spring termination. The healthy biodiversity can include larger populations of such beneficial organisms as earthworms and mycorhizae, which greatly improve nutrient cycling, aeration and soil structure. Source : USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service about five years ago, he considered which types of cover crops would work best for his needs. He plants them in late August or early September, either by aerial seeding or by drilling. For Gerlach and other farmers doing cover crop grazing, it’s optimal to get the cover crop planted early enough for livestock to get some grazing days in October and November. Livestock can also graze cover crops in April and early May. A few years ago, the USDA added flexibility to its cover crop termination guidelines, no longer requiring termination by a stringent deadline. Now, cover crop termination must be completed at or before planting the crop. Gerlach said his operation is always a work in progress, and he carefully monitors what techniques and combinations yield the results he needs. He’s willing to make changes. For example, last fall he closely watched a field he aerial seeded to see whether he got better growth. If he needs a stand of cover crops started more quickly, he will chop the corn and drill the seed. “It all depends on what you need for your operation,” he said. “I like experimenting with things.” Several years ago, before he began the widespread use of cover crops, he was inadvertently able to compare the results of using them vs. not using them in one of his fields. On part of the ground, he had chopped the corn and drilled no-till radishes, turnips and rye in the fall. He left another section of the field bare. “That’s where we figured out that it did something to the ground,” he said. “The next spring, we planted no-till corn over the whole area. We couldn’t figure out why it came up uneven. Then we figured out it was the cover crop.” It was easy to see. The corn planted where there were no cover crops came up uneven. That stand of corn planted where cover crops were used had better growth and stayed greener longer. Gerlach thinks that is because of the cover crops leading to a better root system. He also noted a telltale sign that many farmers overlook: dew worm holes in the soil. “I have a lot more dew worm holes now,” he said. n — Nancy mayfield, eastern iowa farmer Committed to serving our clients and our community Wealth & Retirement ® Our priority is listening to you and using quality research to help you make suitable decisions for your future. You deserve to have confidence in your insurance and savings decisions. Call or email your questions or call for an appointment. Phone: 563-652-2491 kschepers@ibasecurities.com sthorson@ibasecurities.com Securities offered through IBA Securities, a division of Broker Dealer Financial Services Corp. (BDFS), Member SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Investment Advisors Corp., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Ohnward Wealth & Retirement is not affiliated with BDFS. NOT FDIC INSURED — NO BANK GUARANTEE — MAY LOSE VALUE 70 Eastern Iowa Farmer | spring 2017
TO OUR CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT SEED FOR THE 2017 SEASON WE WISH YOU LUCK WITH THE SPRING PLANTING SEASON, THE WEATHER AND A BIG YIELD Chris Matthiesen 563-357-8303 Mark Miller 563-590-6845 Marc Loes 563-590-7880 Jim Holtz 563-593-1150 Loren Truelsen 563-221-3421
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The Eastern Iowa Farmer Spring 2017
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