Learn to manage cereal rye ahead of cornLearn to manage cereal rye ahead of corn

A free virtual cover crop field day at 1 p.m. April 16 will be hosted by Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Conservation Learning Group. The online event will allow for live interaction with Mark Licht, Iowa State University Extension cropping systems agronomist, and Alison Robertson, ISU Extension pathologist, as they discuss current cover crop research.

Cover crops continue to grow in popularity due to their many benefits, including soil erosion reduction, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering waterbodies, and increased soil organic matter. Cereal rye is the most commonly used cover crop species in Iowa and many other Midwest states. Proper management of cereal rye ahead of corn is key to optimizing conservation and crop production goals.

Seeding rates, termination dates

Licht and Robertson will discuss two research projects that began in fall 2018 and are funded through the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. Together, they are exploring nitrogen rates, pest and pathogen management, seeding rates, termination dates, and the best tillage management system for managing cereal rye ahead of corn.

“One question we are looking to answer is how can we reduce the cost of cover crops through reduced seeding rates and still meet soil health and water quality conservation goals, while simultaneously adjusting termination timing and seeding method to meet corn production goals. We are aiming to find the balance,” Licht says. “In the second project, we are looking at no-tillage and strip-tillage systems with different starter nitrogen rates to manage corn for optimal growth following cereal rye.”

Shortly before 1 p.m. April 16, access the event at iastate.zoom.us/s/315189792. Or join by phone at 312- 626-6799 or 646-876-9923. The meeting ID is 315 189 792.

This field day will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so it can be watched any time. The archive is available at Iowa Learning Farms.

A certified crop adviser continuing education unit has been applied for. This credit is for people who can participate in the live webinar. Information on how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the webinar.

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content in this information asset.