Cover Crops Demonstration Project in North Central Idaho
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 9, Issue 1 - June 2016
Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott
Abstract
Dryland small grains and oilseeds farmers in the Pacific Northwest are interested in sustainable and profitable methods of improving soil quality. In this on-farm demonstration project cover crop mixes and cattle grazing were integrated into direct seeded small grain and oilseed rotations. Cover crop mixes had mixed effects on winter wheat and spring canola yields (-2 - +14% and -7 - +1% versus fallow respectively). Forage quantity and quality were found to be acceptable to good (8.2-13.8% protein, 51.5-55.5 TDN, & 2lb/day/heifer rate of gain). This has led to increased acres of cover crop mixes for grazing.
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