Cover Cropsand
Conservation Tillage
Steve GroffHoltwood, PA
www.cedarmeadowfarm.com
Cover CropsCrop rotationPermanent mulch cover
Enhancing the Environment
Permanent Cover Cropping System
Permanent Cover Cropping SystemIncreased profitsClean waterHealthy soilReduced pesticidesLess soil erosion
We in agriculture must carefully balance the "bottom line" and degradation of our finite soil, water and air resources.
Environmental Protection + Economic Profitability
Sustainable Production requires
Why No Till?
Why Cover Crops?
“Soil is meant to be
covered”-Steve Groff
What can Cover Crops do for you?•Manage your water table•Soil Armor-protection from rain, sun, and wind•Green Tillage- using plants to prepare the soil for seeding
Cover Crop Management Ideas
Plant Cover Crops for Erosion Control
Grand Canyon
Cover Crop Mixtures
Diversity Biomass Root growth
Guard against failureof one species
Complementary
Cover Crop CocktailsAbove ground diversity is a
mirror of below ground diversityMicroorganisms are like cattle-
they need a balanced diet
Cover Crop Cocktail
$20.00 per acre
Cover Crop Biology C/N ratio Insect changes Planting dates Challenges
Hairy Vetch 20-25lbs per acre
Rye 2 bushel per acre
60 lbs rye20 lbs hairy vetch
Soil Health
Soil is meant to have
something living in it at all times
Organic matter2.7% 19845.4% 2007
Cover Crop BiologyThere is a time to killBiological pumping: roots bringing up nutrientsIf you built habitat, they will
come- earthworms
34 earthworms in a square yard
Equipment Planter Drill Rolling Stalk Chopper
Rolling Cover Crops
There is a time to Kill
No N Applied
Soil test
Manure Management
On Time As soon after harvest as possible Priority Plan
Cerrado Region Brazil
Plan ahead!
Explore Internet Field Days Connect with other farmers
Winter Lentils
Field Days
Over 50% of Pumpkins
in Lancaster County are now
no-tilled
Researchers University NRCS Global
TillageRadish
Break up compaction Control winter annuals
32” root
Bio-drilling
March 29
Tillage Radish/Spring Oats
Grain
Grass/Legume
Tillage Radish/Vetch/Rye`
Rye/tillage radish plots
Rye/tillage radish
Tillage Radish/Jerry Oats
Broadcast Seeded
Needs 60 lbs of N
Seeding Rate10 lbs per Acre
Tillage Radish cover crop 2.5 acre demonstration plotCorn Yields (dealer had weigh wagon)
No cover crop 180 bu/acre Barley cover crop 193 bu/acre
Tillage Radish cover crop 221 bu/acre
41 bushel increase!
Dan MagnessWhite Hall, MD 21161
But how much will tillage radishes increase my yields??
University of Maryland research indicates an 8-12 bushel corn yield increase
can be expected after planting tillage radishes
the previous fall.
“They till the soil and don’t even hurt the earthworms. Actually, they helpthe earthworms by giving them something to eat!”-David Groff
“No piece of steel can benefit
the soil like roots from a good cover crop”
-Steve Groff
Deep Tillage Tools?
You decide…
Crop Residue Management
Old Method?
Older Method?
Monuments of the past!
Environment Economics
Agriculture's Delicate Balance
Environmental Protection +
Economic Profitability
Permanent Cover Cropping System
Steve GroffCedar Meadow Farm
Holtwood, PA
steve@cedarmeadowfarm.
com
www.cedarmeadowfarm.com
Enhancing the Environment
