Spring seeded cover crop..ahead of corn.. same spring

Dave from MN · Nov 19, 2013

Have some very light soils that needed manure, Lime, AND some deep tillage due to hardpan, and compacted soil, and in need to deeper organic residue incorperation. Any way, these soils, in parts of the feilds will blow if dry and wind is right prior to decent plant height, already planning on planting north/south for the westerly winds. What are the risks/pro"s of seeding a very early oat crop, broadcast and worked in light with potash and some N, as soon as feild can be worked, maybe 1-2 bushel an acre, then after it gets decent growth to cover soil and soil temps plenty warm for corn, spray with round up and no till into it. This is on soybean ground. Will probably 85-92 day corn. Only need to do this year, as have cover crop magement plan for following years, just do NOT want the soil to blow. I care about the soil, it"s rented ground, and I dont want to be known as "that guy"

rrlund · Nov 19, 2013

Don't see why it wouldn't work if you can get them in early April and plant the corn mid May.

randallinMo · Nov 19, 2013

It ALL depends upon how early you could get the oats planted. If you're late with the oats, I don't see the potential for any "real" appreciable growth that would give much "soil cover". Isn't blowing soil more of a winter issue? Is there a way to plant cereal rye this fall yet? If you can get it germinated this fall, then you're WAY ahead of the game. Under ideal conditions, your idea will work.

JMS/.MN · Nov 19, 2013

Dave, you know I"m just a county west of you, so we have the same Spring timeline, similar variety of soils. Most years, planting corn is right after seeding small grain, so I don"t see it being worth anything to seed oats with the idea of a cover crop. You"ll be planting corn about the time the oats comes up! Your management practices the other 51 weeks of the year will impact much more.

Josh in Pa · Nov 19, 2013

Can you still plant rye? It may not come up until spring, but will come up sooner and grow faster than your spring oats.
Josh

caseyc · Nov 19, 2013

Even though we are a few hours apart we have similar springs. If we get an early spring where you could plant the oats in mid march and then wait for corn till the first part of May I think it could work. I would want 45 days between. In a normal spring it wouldn't work as we get oats and wheat around mid too late April directly followed with corn. Might be out of luck this time around as we both know it's too late for rye now.

Casey in SD

rdandersom · Nov 19, 2013

I would be afraid of the oats using too much moisture before you kill it.

randallinMo · Nov 20, 2013

I suppose that "could" be an issue at times, but considering where he's located, probably would not be a problem. I "think" I've seen research that indicates soils with cover crops have 60% less moisture by spring. ?? Don't quote me on that. Up in Minnesota I'd think that anything that would help to dry out their soils by spring would be a benefit.

Spring seeded cover crop..ahead of corn.. same spring

Dave from MN

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rrlund

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randallinMo

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JMS/.MN

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Josh in Pa

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caseyc

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rdandersom

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randallinMo

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