View Poster Application

Identification of Effective Planting Times of Cover Crops Interseeded into Corn

Applied Research

Jake Hadfield
Extension Assistant Professor
Utah State University
Nephi

Abstract

Interseeding cover crops between the rows of growing corn has become of interest among Utah agriculture producers.  Little to no research has been done in the intermountain west with alkaline soils, short growing seasons, and little precipitation during the summer months.  This research project aims to address these challenges and to identify the most effective planting times of cover crops interseeded into corn in Utah.

Eight research plots were chosen in five counties throughout Utah on producer owned corn fields.  Plots were 15’ wide by 30’ feet long with six treatments including a control (no interseeding), and cover crops interseeded at five different corn vegetative (V) growth stages (V2, V4, V6, V8 and V10 stage). Treatments were replicated four times utilizing a randomized complete block design. All other corn production practices (irrigation, fertilizer, insecticides, etc.) were managed by the cooperating growers. Hand-harvesting occurred in early September when silage corn had reached 65% moisture. A 10 ft. section of the center two corn rows in each plot was harvested to determine corn silage yield and a sub sample of 3 randomly selected corn stocks chopped in a wood chipper/shredder for forage quality analysis. Corn quality samples were analyzed at a certified lab for nutritional parameters.

 The first year results indicated that cover crop interseeding time (V2, V4, V6, V8, and V10) had no effect on corn silage yield. While one or two research trials had differences in corn silage nutritional quality, overall no consistent trends were found. The findings suggest that interseeding time has little to no effect on overall corn silage yield. However it should be stated that due to a lack of precipitation in the early spring, cover crop interseeding had little to no success in establishing during 2021.  Weeds in some fields also played a role in preventing establishment of successful cover crop stands. Overall it was determined, that the best cover crop interseeding time occurs between the corn growth stages of V4 and V6 due to producer management practices.   Additional study years are needed to verify and solidify these first year results.  

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.

Click to view Poster

Authors: Jake Hadfield, Kalen Taylor, Cody Zesiger, Mike Pace, Jody Gale, Matthew Palmer, Matt Yost, J. Earl Creech, Ryan Larsen
  1. Hadfield, J. Extension Assistant Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84321
  2. Taylor, K. Extension Assistant Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84624
  3. Zesiger, C. Extension Assistant Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84404
  4. Pace, M. Extension Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84302
  5. Gale, J. Extension Associate Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84701
  6. Palmer, M. Extension Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84627
  7. Yost, M. Extension Associate Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84322
  8. Creech, J. Extension Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84322
  9. Larsen, R. Extension Associate Professor, USU Extension, Utah, 84322