Cover Crops and Managing for a Spring Forage

In most discussions, the use of cover crops is primarily to integrate them into a cropping system to benefit the soil. There is a wide variety of options to choose from that will have positive affects in your fields. Deep rooting crops will help break up soil compaction and increase water infiltration. Thick covers will sequester unused nutrients in the soil, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, and release those nutrients in the spring after termination.

Each of the different types of cover crops have preferred conditions. When managing your cover crop for added forage, it’s important to understand how each of the crops will assist you when choosing which to grow. The primary options for forage are Winter Rye and Winter Triticale.

Winter Rye compared to other cereal grains grows faster in the fall and produces more dry matter the following spring. Rye is the most winter – hardy of all the cereal grains, tolerating temperatures as low as -30F once it is well established. It can germinate and grow at temperatures as low as 33F, but it sure won’t grow very much when it’s that cold. Rye thrives on well – drained loamy soils, but it is tolerant of both heavy clay soils and droughty sandy soils. It can withstand drought better than other cereal grains because of it’s prolific deep rooting system. It grows best with ample moisture, but excessive rainfall can suppress vegetative growth.

Winter Triticale, a cross between Durum Wheat and Rye pollen, offers a productive option. Not as winter hardy as it’s Rye parent, but comparable to Wheat varieties in that factor. This winter cereal offers high forage yield with the added quality. Stand establishment in the fall is critical for the over – wintering process of Triticale. Seeding should typically be done 2 weeks earlier than a Winter Rye crop, typically the last week of August into the beginning of September. With the same rooting system, your Triticale crop can sustain multiple growing conditions, but can struggle with over wintering under wetter and heavier soil.

Spring management of nitrogen will greatly increase both your yield and forage quality.

Application timing of nitrogen is critical to ensure the crop can fully utilize the nutrients. Although both crops can break dormancy at sustained soil temperatures of 33F – 35F, limited growth will not maximize efficiencies of a nutrient application. Allow this early time in the spring to determine how the stand over – wintered. Fields with substantial winter – kill areas or low densities should be considered for early termination and manure applications. Remaining fields that have potential to yield forage should have a blend of Urea and Ammonium Sulfate applied when soil temperatures are sustained at 50F and a weather forecast will continue to hold a solid temperature.

A fertilizer blend of Urea and Ammonium Sulfate should be used at green – up application. These nutrients will assist in both yield and feed quality. Treat the Urea portion of the blend to limit volitilization. Call your local CaroVail location if you would like help determining the quality of your cover crop and the best plan for the spring.