Today we discuss cover crop usage and explore factors which can impact water quality and reduce residual soil nitrate loss on the Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast. How do cover crops help capture residual soil nitrate that corn leaves behind late in the season before it can be lost to water runoff? Why are early-harvested crops like corn silage and small grains ideal scenarios for getting sufficient cover crop germination and biomass growth in Minnesota? What makes winter annuals like cereal rye the top-performing choice for overwintering and protecting water quality in northern climates? How can farmers prevent potential agronomic risks from cereal rye, such as nitrogen tie-up, moisture depletion, and crop seedling diseases? What do long-term drainage plot studies reveal about the actual percentage reduction of soil nitrate and edge-of-field water loss when using cover crops? All this and more in our 43rd episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast series.
Read the full transcript here
Guests:
- Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)
- Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist (St. Paul)
Additional resources:
- Cover Crops
- Hybrid winter rye nitreogen management: 5 key takeaways for Minnesota growers
- What are my best options for terminating a cereal rye cover crop this spring?
- Nitrogen study looks at two cover crops' potential to reduce nitrate leaching
- Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! session talks frequently asked questions regarding cover crop
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