Abstract

Integrating cover crops into field crop production has gained interest in recent years as we discover the multitude of benefits that cover crops can provide to cash crops like corn. For example, cover crops can reduce nutrient and soil loss, increase soil organic matter, suppress weeds and diseases, and even serve as extra sources of livestock forage. All of these benefits translate into the potential for increased cash crop productivity. In general, the benefits from cover cropping far outweigh the costs of implementation, but to use them with success, you need to identify your goals for using covers as well as potential farm and field constraints. Various cover crop species can provide different benefits but each comes with their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Successfully incorporating cover crops into your silage corn production will take advanced planning to realize the benefits these crops can offer. Figure 1 is an example of an annual cropping system that integrates cover crops. Note that timely planting and termination are both critical to the success of any cover crop.

This guide covers a variety of agronomic strategies that will help you build a silage corn production system that integrates cover crops. These include variety selection, planting dates, seeding rates, and termination strategies. Much of the information in the guide is based on research conducted by the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS). Since 2003, our NWCS team has been conducting on- farm trials throughout Vermont, including several to evaluate cover cropping practices in corn silage systems. You can find a link to our research reports as well as additional cover crop resources at the end of the guide.

Keywords

Vermont, University of Vermont, UVM Extension, Northwest Crops & Soils

Publication Date

4-2018

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