Farmer-Led Research

In a Nutshell: Interseeding cover crops to corn at the V4 stage has been met with mixed success, likely because of shading by the tall corn canopy later in the season hindering cover crop growth. Cooperators evaluated the …

Summary Farmers reported that in 61 of 68 site-years, properly managed cover crops had little to no negative effect on corn and soybean yield (and actually increased soybean yield in 8 site-years and corn yield in 3 site-years).

In a Nutshell Eight fruit and vegetable farms provided a profit-loss statement and simple balance sheet for four years (2013 – 2016). Five of the farms averaged more than $24,000/ac in gross revenue for the 4-year period. Four …

In a Nutshell Four diversified vegetable farms planted strips of an annual flower mix. Farms assessed flower establishment and attractiveness to insects. Key Findings Buckwheat dominated the mix, providing early blooms but perhaps to the detriment of other …

In a Nutshell Green manure cover crops best fit into extended and diversified crop rotations between the small grain and corn phases of the rotation. They can either be underseeded with a small grain crops in early spring …

In a Nutshell Cover crops are typically either aerially seeded into standing crops around the time of physiological maturity in late summer or drilled immediately following crop harvest in the fall. In this study, two farmer-cooperators evaluated spring …

In a Nutshell An earlier seeding date opens up the opportunity for more diverse cover crops like brassicas and legumes that need more time and heat units to grow than common cover crops like cereal rye. Two farmer-cooperators …

In a Nutshell Grazing cover crops can provide economic returns to farming operations within the same year cover crops are planted. This study is in its third year and is being conducted by farmers in the North Raccoon …

In a Nutshell Six farmers compared three or four lettuce varieties, Coastal Star, Hampton, Magenta, and Muir, to determine which produces better during summer months (harvest July – Sept.) in Iowa. Key Findings Magenta had the highest yields …

In a Nutshell Feeding cows during the winter is the greatest expense for most grass-based operations. Grazing cover crops and stockpiled pastures provides low-cost feed during times farmers would normally be feeding hay. For many years, Dave and …

In a Nutshell Wild bird populations can thrive in properly managed working landscapes. Cattle activity changes grassland structure; creating areas with short and tall vegetation, which provides habitat that is less available in conservation areas. For some species, …

In a Nutshell This project compares yields of fall brassica crops following a spring cover crop of oats and peas. In treatment plots spring cover was grazed by sheep; control plots were un-grazed. Key Findings There were no …