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Increasing Options for Cover Cropping in the Northeast

Increasing Options for Cover Cropping in the Northeast

Summary

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE94-066.

Fall cover crops trial:
Fall brassica cover crops grew faster and accumulated more N than oats. A greater proportion of oats residues and biomass N remained on the soil surface in spring compared to that of fall brassicas. Cover crops depleted leachable soil N during the fall, but the fate of that accumulated N by spring not clear. Fall brassicas provided grater weed suppression than oats. August 25th- September 5th is the optimum planting window for these cover crops in Western NY.

Cabbage overseeding trial:
Observations during the fall indicated that while the clovers and vetch became well established, the rye and ryegrass plots never established well, probably because the ground was not freshly worked when they were planted, as was the case with the earlier planted cover crops. Also, compared to last year's trial, the frame leaves of the cabbage were much larger, filling in more of the field, and leaving narrow strips between rows where cover crops could find sunlight and grow. There were no differences in cabbage yields between treatments, measured in early December. Unfortunately, we were not able to follow this trial through spring regrowth of cover crops because sheep got into the field during the winter and spring and severely grazed the cover crops.
Document : FNE94-066 Final Report

Project Content Page

1995 Final Report

Project Number: FNE94-066
Type: Farmer/Rancher Project
Region: Northeast
SARE Grant: $2,800

Coordinator:

Steve Porter
Porter Farms
5020 Edgerton Road
Elba, NY 14058
Phone: 716-757-6823

Participant:
Lydia  Stivers
Techincal Advisor
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Ithaca , NY 14850
This project and all associated reports and support materials were supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed within do not necessarily reflect the view of the SARE program or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.