Interseeding Cover Crops in V4-V7 Corn

The main goal of this project is to get more producers to try interseeding as an option for cover crop establishment. Numerous studies have documented the benefits of Cover Crops including cycling nutrients, reducing soil erosion, improving aggregate stability, increasing microbial diversity, and suppressing weeds (Clark A., 2007). One barrier to more widespread cover crop adoption is the short timeframe in the fall for cover crop seeding. In recent years, heavy fall rainfall has delayed commodity crop harvest which pushed back cover crop seeding until after the recommended seeding deadline (from NRCS) for winter-hardy Cover Crops. Many producers in Allamakee County, Iowa have tried aerial application (airplane) in late August or early September with highly variable success due to dependence on timely rainfall and drift issues in many of the strip-cropped fields. These issues have caused most producers to discontinue this method. This project will compare interseeded strips with non-interseeded check strips. A strip will be wide enough to allow for two combine passes. The strip layout will be randomized with a minimum of four replications. Above-ground cover crop biomass will be measured in each treatment strip multiple times throughout the growing season. Soil samples will be sent to a lab to run Haney tests. After corn harvest, cover crop samples will be sent to a lab for nutrient analysis. Cooperating producers will provide information including application regarding the corn planting, management, and yield and the interseeded cover crop species and management.