A farmer examines the root structure of rye grass. Cover crops play an important role in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
Lessons Learned Farmers Share Lessons Learned at Cover Crops Boot Camp BY ZITA QUADE
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iscussing cover crop success, while debating the challenges, was among the exercises undertaken by more than 100 farmers and industry leaders who gathered in Ames for a Cover Crops Boot Camp. The recent event was led by Sarah Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa, with extensive planning input from members of the Conservation Infrastructure Cover Crops Working Group and several partners, including the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance. Two succinct farmers’ comments summed up much of the wisdom shared: “If you want to succeed at cover crops, you will,” notes one attendee. “If you want to fail at cover crops, you will.” Another attendee says, “Don’t be afraid to be different, be afraid to be the same.”
14 | SPRING 2020 | IASOYBEANS.COM
Iowa farmers know cover crops play an important role in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy to improve soil health and improve water quality. To examine the latest cover crop science and practices being implemented, a variety of experiences were shared by farmers and specialists in soils, livestock, equipment and fertility. Presenters shared these overall lessons learned: • Cover crops require patience and adaptability, as numerous variables are at play and every season and field is different. Start small and incrementally work cover crops into an operation. Planting cereal rye ahead of soybeans is a good place to start. • Over time, a no-till or strip-till system with cover crops will lead to more forgiving and fertile soils.
• Cover crops help weatherproof the farm (e.g., increase water retention, hold soils in place and increase resilience). • Cover crops improve soil health by improving soil aggregate stability, increasing soil carbon and organic matter, providing living roots in the soil prior to row crops establishment in the spring and post-harvest in the fall when Iowa receives the most precipitation, and soils are most vulnerable to nitrate loss and erosion. They reduce compaction, improve porosity and infiltration rates, and serve as a food source for soil microbes, earthworms and other soil invertebrates. • Cattle feed costs can be reduced in the fall by grazing cover crops. Manure can reduce fertilizer input costs.
