As a graduate student at the University of Minnesota studying land dynamics for atmospheric science with a focus on manure and nutrient management, I am presenting preliminary data on the impact of integrating cover crops and manure on soil health, nutrient cycling, and agronomic production. The study, conducted at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, found that planting cover crops near plant senescence and overseeding at R5 resulted in higher biomass production, while manure applied in early or late fall outperformed spring-applied urea in terms of soil yield. Additional research on soil health and crop nutrient uptake is ongoing, thanks to funding from multiple organizations.
Are you interested in improving your soil health, nutrient cycling, and agronomic production on your farm? If so, integrating cover crops and manure could be the solution for you. At the University of Minnesota, researchers like Sebalg are conducting studies to measure the impacts of combining cover crops and manure on these essential aspects of farming.
Cover crops have been gaining popularity in recent years, but adoption rates in the upper Midwest, particularly in manure-applied systems, are not as high as in other regions of the United States. This is due to challenges such as short growing seasons and limited information on how integrating cover crops and manure can affect crop yield.
The objective of the study conducted by Sebalg and their team was to determine the best management practices for integrating cover crops and manure and how this integration affects corn yields in the upper Midwest. Plots were set up at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center near Morris, Minnesota, with different nutrient sources and cover crop seeding techniques.
Preliminary data from the research shows that planting cover crops near plants and applying manure in the early or late fall results in significantly better soil yield compared to spring-applied urea fertilizer. Additionally, broadcasting cover crops at the V5 growth stage produced the highest soil yield among the different cover crop treatments.
By planting cover crops before applying manure, nutrients can be tied up in the cover crop biomass, reducing nutrient loss to the environment. When these cover crops are terminated in the spring, they release the stored nutrients to the succeeding corn crop, resulting in improved soil health and crop production.
This study has also shown that planting cover crops near the R5 growth stage gives cover crops more time to grow compared to drilling after harvest, leading to increased biomass production. Winter rye and annual rye grass mixtures were found to be particularly effective in increasing cover crop biomass.
Ongoing research is being conducted to measure various soil health parameters, crop nutrient uptake, and other factors to further understand the impacts of integrating cover crops and manure on farming practices. The findings from this study could revolutionize farming techniques in the upper Midwest, providing a sustainable and effective way to improve soil health and crop production.
Sebalg would like to thank the USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants Program, the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research for their support of this project. They also extend their gratitude to all personnel at the West Central Research and Outreach Center and Wilson Lab for their assistance with the fieldwork.
If you’re looking to enhance your farm’s productivity and sustainability, consider integrating cover crops and manure based on the findings of this groundbreaking research. Stay tuned for more updates as Sebalg and their team continue to uncover the potential benefits of this innovative farming practice. Thank you for reading!
