Enhancing Cover Crop Function

 This project will address factors limiting the success of cover crop implementation and function on corn silage fields in northern climates. In northern climates, limited time to establish Cover Crops following corn silage harvest has led to a heavy dependence on winter rye as the primary cover crop species used in this region. This not only limits biodiversity in our agricultural systems, but also creates additional challenges with respect to cover crop termination and soil preparation in the spring, especially under wet conditions. In some instances, this is actually deterring farmers from continuing to cover crop. Interseeding offers a greater opportunity for building soil health, biodiversity, and addressing concerns such as compaction, nitrogen fixing, and weed control. Through our past work, we have identified several key pressure points, including modifications to the herbicide program, proper corn varietal selection, and modifications to corn/cover crop-planting schemes. We will utilize several techniques including manipulating planting patterns in the field to allow more light to reach the soil surface, selecting corn varieties with vertical leaf architecture, modifying herbicide programs as to not hinder cover crop growth, interseeding the Cover Crops earlier in the crop season, and using custom seed mixes that offer the best opportunities for successful establishment.