Fitting cover crops into your rotation

Step 1: identify the issue

• Weed management

• Nitrogen fixation

• Organic matter building

• Nutrient “scavenging”

• Erosion prevention

Step 2: identify limitations

• Climate

• Soil drainage

• Equipment

• Rotation crops

Step 3: available options

Step 4: Plan and implement

• Have seed (and inoculant) ready

• Prepare a good seedbed

• Make a termination plan

• Stay flexible, respond to conditions

Step 5: Assess the results

• What worked, what didn’t?

• Did yield/quality of cash crop improve?

• How could the process be improved next time?

Choosing the right cover crop

The Cover Crop Selector Tool

• Case study #1: erosion control– Grow a cover crop in fall after harvest to

prevent spring soil erosion

The Cover Crop Selector Tool

• Case study #2: nitrogen fixation– Grow a legume in

rotation to fix some nitrogen for the subsequent crop

The Cover Crop Selector Tool

• Case study #3: combination of factors– Unable to plant cash crop– Want to cover soil during season– Want something that will suppress weeds,

build soil and scavenge nutrients

Project funded by Agriculture Canada

Summary

1.Know your conditions

2.Make a plan

3.Stay flexible, adapt to changing conditions

4.Use decision-making tools

5.Assess the results, modify techniques as necessary