2018 Fall Cover Crop

After the wheat was harvested this summer we had the opportunity to plant a cover crop under a sprinkler for the sake of keeping the soil alive. We knew this field would require some tillage late in the fall so we tried to select faster-growing species that would make an impact in a shorter season.

After the wheat combine, the field was disked lightly to create a seedbed that didn't require a no-till drill. The cover mix was drilled around the 15th of August and roller harrowed to firm the seedbed.

The seed mix was buckwheat, brown mustard, and crimson clover though I don't remember the rates. Of course there was plenty of winter wheat that volunteered also.



After a couple irrigations, we had a decent stand coming of all species.



The corn residue seen on the soil was left over from 2 years ago since the wheat was no-tilled after corn.

Termination came in late November in the form of an offset disk then ripper. After a couple months of growth it was clear which species performed and which didn't.



The longer brown stems were the mustards that had bolted - a solid frost killed them quickly. Buckwheat didn't do much since it failed to compete early then died with the first whisper of frost. Surprisingly, the crimson clover held on and did okay late in the fall even though it is hard to see below the canopy.

Areas where the wheat straw was heavier, none of the cover species grew much, just volunteer wheat. I really need to learn what it is about wheat fields that prevents cover crops from establishing well. Is it some characteristic of the straw or a function of the volunteer wheat?