Crop Report – September 7, 2022

Cereal rye, along with hairy vetch and crimson clover, growing rapidly in spring.

Managing cover crops ahead of the 2023 corn crop

If you’re like many Ontario farmers, you are not only watching as your crops head toward the finish line, but also keeping an eye on the progress of the cover crops you seeded after cereal harvest. With recent rainfall in many parts of the province, cover crop growth is taking off.

Cover crops provide benefits by capturing sunlight and building soil carbon, competing with weeds, fixing atmospheric nitrogen, and protecting soil from erosion. They benefit crop yields over time1,2. Cover crops require extra management, however, and can affect many aspects of your soil, from fertility to residue cover and soil drying and warming in spring. It’s important to consider how to manage for these conditions, especially prior to planting corn. In this week’s crop report, we will share some information on common cover crop species and how best to set up for success ahead of the 2023 corn crop.

Cover crop species

Winterkilled species die consistently following freezing temperatures in Ontario and present simplified management. Oats, field/forage peas, tillage radish and sunflower are the most used winterkilled cover crops3 (Figure 1). While common advice used to be to seed cover crops as early as possible following cereal harvest, some Ontario growers have moved toward slightly delayed seeding. This provides an opportunity to manage volunteer wheat and can result in a more manageable amount of residue, especially where manure is applied.

Figure 1. Simple cover crop mixture of oats, radish, peas. October 9, 2020, Waterloo Region.
Figure 1. Simple cover crop mixture of oats, radish, peas. October 9, 2020, Waterloo Region.

Overwintering species survive winter and, in some cases, put on their most vigorous growth in the spring. Common examples include winter cereals such as cereal rye and legumes like red clover and hairy vetch (Figure 2). These species remain alive for a longer period, which can assist in capturing excess nutrients in fall and competing with weeds in spring. When left to grow into spring, they require additional management and are not well suited to cover crop beginners. Cereal rye grows rapidly in May, as does hairy vetch. Timely termination or the use of a planter equipped for high residue are key. Fall termination of red clover – ideally done in late October – provides a full nitrogen credit (70-80 kg/ha) and simplifies spring management. Also consider your problem weeds and whether the benefits of an overwintering cover crop outweigh a fall herbicide application.

Figure 2. Cereal rye, along with hairy vetch and crimson clover, growing rapidly in spring. May 16, 2017, Huron County.
Figure 2. Cereal rye, along with hairy vetch and crimson clover, growing rapidly in spring. May 16, 2017, Huron County.

Certain species are unreliable in their winter survival. Examples include crimson clover (see Figure 2), Austrian winter pea and some brassicas. Don’t assume these species will die and be prepared to control them in the spring if no fall herbicide is applied.

Finally, there has been a trend away from complex mixtures to simple blends of 2-5 species. Often, a small number of species dominate a mixture. Seeding fewer helps ensure a balance of growth amongst species, keeps seed cost lower and reduces the risk of some species setting seed.

Tips for managing cover crops ahead of corn

Cover crops protect soil best when they are left on the soil surface over winter. For those not comfortable leaving soil undisturbed, ensure your tillage will leave at least 30% cover on the soil surface up until after planting to significantly reduce erosion.

For those who prefer to leave soil untouched over winter, consider the impact of cover crop residue in spring. Winterkilled or fall terminated cover crops will keep soil cooler and wetter. You may be surprised, however, at how much residue breaks down by spring. Lighter stands of cover crop provide more flexibility in this regard. In minimum tillage systems, residue should be moved away from the corn row to ensure a uniform seeding environment. Overwintering species such as cereal rye may keep soil cool and wet initially but assist with drying once growth accelerates in May. Best practice for managing cereal rye ahead of corn is to terminate it at least two weeks prior to planting or when 6-12 inches tall, whichever comes first (Figure 3). This reduces risk of disease transfer and nitrogen tie-up. Under dry spring conditions, winter cereal cover crops can deplete soil moisture quickly and their termination should not be delayed beyond corn planting. Including nitrogen at planting is important as well. For more detailed information on corn following cereal rye, visit the Field Crop News website.

Figure 3. Cereal rye terminated by glyphosate 3 weeks (right) and 2 weeks (left) prior to corn planting. May 16, 2017, Brant County.
Figure 3. Cereal rye terminated by glyphosate 3 weeks (right) and 2 weeks (left) prior to corn planting. May 16, 2017, Brant County.

For growers who plant corn “green” into cover crops, common keys to success include adequate nitrogen applied at planting, sharp, well-maintained opening discs, and achieving sufficient planting depth and slot closure.

Key take-aways

Cover crops provide their greatest benefits through consistent use over time. To ensure long-term success, consider the following strategies ahead of planting corn:

  • Seed a modest number of cover crop species and consider slightly delayed summer establishment if soil fertility is high
  • Be prepared to manage species that may survive winter, e.g. crimson clover
  • Adapt to the impact of residue, dead or alive, on spring soil conditions.

References

  1. Chalal, I., R.J. Vyn, D. Mayers, and L.L. Van Eerd. 2020. Cumulative impact of cover crops on soil carbon sequestration and profitability in a temperate humid climate. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70224-6
  2. Chalal, I., D.C. Hooker, B. Deen, K. Janovicek, and L.L. Van Eerd. 2021. Long-term effects of crop rotation, tillage, and fertilizer nitrogen on soil health indicators and crop productivity in a temperate climate. Soil and Tillage Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105121
  3. Morrison, C.L., and Y. Lawley. 2021. 2020 Ontario Cover Crop Feedback Report, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba. https://gfo.ca/agronomy/soil-leadership/

Weather DataAugust 29 – Sept 4, 2022

LocationYearHighest Temp (°C)Lowest Temp (°C)Rain (mm)Rain (mm) April 1stGDD 0C April 1stGDD 5C April 1stCHU May 1st
Harrow202230.022.19.8387277820263127
202125.59.70.7452280120353047
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)27.216.118.6480275519723109
Ridgetown202230.011.08.6277263218872893
202124.47.30.4437264818902871
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)26.914.219.7433259418162895
London202229.710.410.6318256718272823
202123.98.78.0358263318792839
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)26.413.916.4447257117982876
Brantford202230.79.210.9287257718312769
202125.97.16.6324260518502783
Welland202228.810.422.2316263018742909
202124.610.21.3323261718592839
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)26.414.814.8396258818132900
Elora202229.78.710.3254236316302543
202123.87.21.2287241616712591
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)25.311.411.7439232615652576
Mount Forest202228.27.138374235316262578
202122.57.06.5406241616732604
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)24.512.610.6452231315612595
Peterborough202229.28.79.5324236616192548
202123.96.40.0301242016642571
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)25.910.314.2397235815972576
Kemptville202228.48.225.6455252417562761
202124.68.30.0288259418312742
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)24.912.613.2444247817182753
Earlton202228.84.624.5351213314342342
202120.48.015.5488224815112359
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)23.48.612.5393202213452287
Sudbury202227.63.914.5318216914622433
202121.45.18.9403228315482391
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)23.511.18.1428216414652461
Thunder Bay202229.41.93.6457193712662091
202124.14.12.8265213614142255
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)23.37.78.9389193912502142
Fort Frances202230.22.33.6575201613472239
202124.45.94.3254222614982374
10 YR Avg. (2011-20)23.07.910.3394206413572292
Report compiled by OMAFRA using Environment Canada data. Data quality is verified but accuracy is not guaranteed. Report supplied for general information purposes only. An expanded report is available at www.fieldcropnews.com.