Cover Crop Forage Options for Corn Silage

Corn silage acres that are left with limited crop residue are ideal fields for cover crops. Cover crops help keep manure and soil in place. They also improve soil health by preserving living roots in the soil for an extended period throughout the year.

A farmer should utilize cover crops according to their objectives or capabilities, such as:

●Erosion control

●Nitrogen production

●Alternative forage production

●Organic matter development

●Location or designation of purpose

●Crop rotation

●Equipment capabilities

Cover Crop Forage Options: Fall Season

●Legumes

Legume cover crops, such as clover, peas, and vetches, do not have a long enough season to nodulate at this time of year. Therefore, they produce insufficient levels of nitrogen. Legumes also have brittle residue, so they break down quickly and do not provide enough cover to protect the soil through the winter and spring.

●Spring Barley and Oats

Spring barley and oats are great options if planted early enough in the fall to produce enough growth to cover the soil during the winter and spring. You should plant barley and oats around mid-September to produce adequate biomass.

●Cereal Rye, Winter Wheat, and Triticale

Cereal rye, winter wheat, and triticale are ideal choices for late fall in the colder regions of the Midwest. Rye is the most winter hardy of the three and is the best choice for late planting dates. All three will survive most winters. You will need to manage these cover crops the following spring with an herbicide ahead of planting the cash crop.

Cover Crop Forage Options: Spring Season

●Triticale and Rye

Triticale and rye are the best choices. Triticale is harvested a bit later than rye, so it maintains forage quality for longer in the spring than rye. Letting rye or triticale grow long enough into the spring to take a forage cut will inevitably push back the planting date of the next crop and potentially impact yield, so farmers need to plan accordingly.

●Ryegrass

Some agricultural experts claim that annual ryegrass has the capability to develop herbicide resistance in certain regions. Therefore, some scientists caution against its use. However, proponents of ryegrass contend that it is manageable with a compatible herbicide program. If you choose to use annual ryegrass as a cover crop, then investigate the best herbicide, rate, and timing to ensure timely spring termination.

Planting Considerations

Once you decide what type of cover crop you will use for your corn silage, there are some other items that you need to consider:

●Planter Use: Be prepared to experience a little trial-and-error with your planter. Experiment with down pressure, residue management, closing wheels, and overall planter setup.

●Planting procedure: You will need to decide how you will plant your cover crop. Drilling, air flow seeding, spinner seeding, and air seeding are all common methods. Your choices may be governed by availability and budget.

●Crop rotation: Consider your planned crop rotation when you choose a cover crop. You do not want the cover crop to interfere with the next season’s cash crop.

●Timing. If you use a liquid manure application, you may not have to wait to apply the cover crop. If you use a broadcast or low-disturbance injector, you will not disturb the cover crop. Therefore, you can plant it earlier so that you do not disturb the planting schedule of the cash crop.

Order Your Cover Crop Seed Online Today!

If you are looking for cover crop seed products for your plot, look to Elk Mound Seed. We offer a wide selection of seed products for farms and properties across the Midwest. To learn more about our products or to order your seeds, you can browse our website and order online.