DRILLING VS BROADCAST PLANTING OF COVER CROPS INTERSEEDED INTO CORN GROWN FOR SILAGE
Applied Research
Steven Hines
Extension Educator
University of Idaho
Jerome
Abstract
Cover crop adoption has remained stagnant in Idaho for several years. The most common practice is to seed cover crops after cereal grains are harvested. Planting cover crops after longer season crops, such as corn silage, has proven challenging. The cover crop may emerge and grow but rarely produces enough biomass for cover or grazing. Producers have been interseeding cover crops into corn at the v4-v6 stage using airplanes or High-Boy applicators, to establish the cover crop during the growing season. Broadcasting cover crop seed into an existing corn crop can be successful, however, research conducted by the authors previously has shown that drilling cover crops to increase seed-to-soil contact results in an improved stand. There are expensive interseeding drills designed to plant cover crops between rows of corn. One of the identified barriers to adopting cover cropping practices is the expense involved with establishment. Idaho Extension Educators work with producers to find ways to adopt cover cropping without buying new equipment. Stakeholders have asked if a box drill could be used to plant cover crops into established corn without reducing yield of the corn. A three year study (2023-2025) was conducted at the University of Idaho Kimberly Research and Extension Center farm to determine if a box drill could be used to interseed cover crops into established corn without reducing yield. The treatments included corn on 30” centers with cover crops drilled and broadcast, corn on 60” centers with cover crop drilled and broadcast, and a yield check of corn on 30” centers with no cover crop. All plots were planted at approximately 36,000 plants per acre and the cover crop was planted when the corn was at approximately the v3 stage. The data for each individual year indicated there was no statistical difference in corn yield between the drilled vs broad cast treatments within plots planted on the same row width (30”, 60”). When comparing the three years combined, there was a significant difference in yield between the 30” and 60” treatments, consistent with previous findings by the authors.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Steven Hines, Grant Loomis, Jason Thomas, Albert Adjesiwor
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Hines, S. Extension Educator, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83338
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Loomis, G. Extension Educator, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83333
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Thomas, J. Extension Educator, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83350
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Adjesiwor, A. Extension Weed Specialist, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83341