On-Farm Cover Crop Research: How Not to Measure Soil Moisture.

An on-farm research project was initiated in Fall 2014 with funding from the Kansas Conservation Innovation Grant program. Four sites were chosen and all participating farmers have made all management decisions. Cover crops have been drilled each fall after grain harvest. Crop, cover crop, and soil parameters have been collected and measured. Soil moisture sensors were installed at depths of 6 inches, 1 foot, 2 foot, 3 foot, and 4 foot depths. Numerous data loggers have been ruined and many cables have been spliced back together after being chewed through by animals. Much has been learned from conducting this real world, on farm research, and both data and lessons learned will be presented.