Weighing the Value of Perennial Grains As Cover Crops.

The possibility of a new type of perennial grain crop was explored over fifty years ago, in Russia. The challenge is to obtain economic value from the crop both early and late in production, to justify managing a perennial crop with modest yield potential. At Michigan State University perennial grains that have been evaluated to date include Kernza (intermediate wheatgrass), perennial rye, and perennial wheat.  Annual small grain crops such as wheat and rye have been evaluated for forage or grain yield, in separate systems. We are evaluating these crops for their ability to serve multiple purposes with regard to environmental and economic uses, in organic production systems. Farmer sought environmental benefits such as reduction in nutrient leaching, soil building and a vegetative cover to hold soil over seasons. Their production preferences include multi-uses for livestock and a baking quality grain.  Perennial wheat and Kernza lines were developed by Washington State University and Land Institute in Kansas. We are evaluating these novel crop types in a field environment under organic management at Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI. Over two years lines were evaluated for early growth, tiller regrowth, grain and forage production. A comparison was made between perennial grains and traditional cover crops for their contributions to the environment. These attributes are extremely valuable in marginal soils and projected long-term benefits will be presented in this paper.