Implementation of Cover Crops in Nebraska Corn and Soybean Cropping Systems.

Corn and soybean rotations are primary components of Midwest cropping systems. There has been renewed interest from farmers in the use of cover crops for their rotational benefits. However, integration of cover crops into a corn-soybean cropping system is less common, in part, because of the restricted growing season and increased labor inputs. Our objectives are to 1) explore sustainable corn-soybean production systems that incorporate cover crops 2) determine the feasibility of using cover crops, seeded no-till in soybean and corn cropping systems, and 3) examine cover crop performance at four Nebraska sites – both rain-fed (Concord & Mead) and irrigated (Clay Center & Brule). More specifically, this three-year project will assess the impacts of single and multi-species cover crop planted with two methods and timings on corn and soybean yield, soil properties, and economic return in soybean-corn and continuous corn across four representative locations in Nebraska. We initiated the study in fall of 2014 with cover crop treatments broadcast at corn R5 (early-September) and drilled following corn harvest (late-September). We noted that broadcast treatments, while having an earlier planting date, had poorer establishment and less biomass accumulation than drilled treatments. In the following spring, cereal rye was the most prevalent cover crop species followed by hairy vetch, radish, and winter pea. We will document cover crop effects on yield in fall 2015. This research is supported by the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Soybean Board.