This document discusses research on cover crop mixtures to improve soil and operations after corn silage. It summarizes findings from 9-10 annual on-farm trials in Pennsylvania testing different cover crop mixtures. The research found that rye produced the most spring biomass on average, but other mixtures like crimson clover and ryegrass had higher protein concentrations. Factors like growing degree days, adapted varieties, and establishment methods were important to cover crop success. The research demonstrates cover crops can provide benefits like erosion control, nutrient retention, and weed suppression when selected and planted appropriately.

1. COVER CROP MIXTURES
AFTER CORN SILAGE TO IMPROVE YOUR OPERATION
Sjoerd Duiker
Ron Hoover
Charlie White
Dean Hively

2. 2009-2012
Brian Blouch, Myerstown
2012-2013
Tim Kurtz, Elverson
Thanks to these cooperators

3. Cover Crops – Why?
• Erosion control
• Water management
• Nutrient retention and
recycling
• Soil compaction reduction
• Weed control
• Potential to provide feed

4. Cover crop mixtures
• Search for species that complement each other:
• Soil erosion control in fall and winter
• Soil erosion control in spring
• Nutrient uptake in fall and winter
• Nutrient uptake in spring
• Nitrogen fixation potential
• Root system – taproot vs fine roots
• Feed production potential in fall
• Feed production potential in spring

5. Example of Geographic Spread (2010/11)

6. Spring Biomass
Crimson + Ryegrass
Ryegrass +Triticale
Rye + F.Oat
Radish + Rye
Rape + HV + Rye
Radish + HV + rye
Rye
Ryegrass + F.Oat
Crimson + F. Oat
F.Oat + Rye
Radish + vetch + Rye
Crimson+ Ryegrass
Oats + Rye
Crimson + Triticale
Rye
0 2000 4000 6000 8000
Ryegrass + Oats
Crimson + oat
Crimson + ryegrass
Huron rye + Oat
Crimson + Triticale
Rye + Oat
Radish + Vetch + Rye
Rye
Spring Cover crop
Biomass (lbs/A)
Summary of 9-10
annual on-farm cover
crop trials in PA
Calculations based on 4 reps (2011)
or 3 reps (2012+2013)
Spring 2011
Spring 2012
Spring 2013
Dry matter (lbs/A), average, minimum and maximum

7. Average Minimum Maximum
(lbs/A)
Crimson + Ryegrass 70 21 104
Ryegrass +Triticale 73 41 126
Rye + F.Oat 76 44 139
Radish + Rye 82 49 161
Rape + Vetch + Rye 87 50 169
Radish + Vetch + rye 89 52 164
Rye 93 47 182
Ryegrass + F.Oat 52 21 74
F.Oat + Rye 69 26 107
G.Oats + Rye 73 34 97
Radish + Vetch + Rye 82 39 120
Rye 84 35 120
Crimson + F. Oat 103 57 144
Crimson+ Ryegrass 106 63 140
Crimson + Triticale 112 65 147
Ryegrass + G.Oat 31 5 72
Crimson + G.Oat 54 7 135
Huron rye + G.Oat 66 16 125
Rye + G.Oat 66 17 122
Crimson + Ryegrass 70 18 125
Radish + Vetch + Rye 79 16 158
Rye 82 16 176
Crimson + Triticale 83 23 130
Spring 2011
Spring 2012
Spring 2013
Spring Cover crop
Biomass N (lbs/A)
Summary of 9-10
annual on-farm cover
crop trials in PA
Calculations based on 4 reps (2011)
or 3 reps (2012+2013)

8. 2012 Fall Yields-Berks County
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
CrimClover+AnnRye
CrimClover+Triticale
CrimClover+Oat
AnnRye+Oat
Oat+AroostockRye
Oat+HuronRye
TillRad+HV+Rye
AroostockRye
AbovegroundBiomassDM(lbs/acre)

9. 2013 Spring Yields-Berks County
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
CrimClover+AnnRye
CrimClover+Triticale
CrimClover+Oat
AnnRye+Oat
Oat+AroostockRye
Oat+HuronRye
TillRad+HV+Rye
AroostockRye
AbovegroundBiomassDM(lbs/acre)

10. 2013 Cover Crop Trial-Berks County-Nutrition
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
ForageQuality(%)
Crude Protein ADF NDF

11. 2013 Cover Crop Trial-Berks County-Nitrogen
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
CrimClover+AnnRye
CrimClover+Triticale
CrimClover+Oat
AnnRye+Oat
Oat+AroostockRye
Oat+HuronRye
TillRad+HV+Rye
AroostockRye
SequesteredNinspringbiomass(lbs/acre)

12. Growing degree calculations from
http://www.weather.com/outdoors/agriculture/growing-degree-days/
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
ActualGDD-base40F
Average GDD-base 40F
Average versus Actual Growing Degree Days - base 40F

13. Comparison of GDD-40
accumulation between cover
crop establishment and
termination times in PA and NY
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Bethel, PA
Troy, PA
Mainville, PA
Gratz, PA
Gap, PA
Landisville, PA
Manheim, PA
Soudertnn, PA
Airville, PA
Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
Manheim, PA
Bethel, PA
Williamsburg, PA
Doylestown, PA
Gratz, PA
Chambersburg, PA
Gap, PA
Watsontown, PA
Airville, PA
Elverson, PA
Rome, PA
Doylestown, PA
Butler, PA
Waynesboro, PA
Lancaster, PA
Allensville, PA
Harrison Valley, PA
Beaver Springs, PA
Delta, PA
GDD Avg

14. y = 3.9559x - 2213.5
R² = 0.4213
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Springbiomass(lbs/A)
GDD - base 40F
Crimson Clover and Oat Mixture
Spring Biomass vs GDD accumulation

15. y = 4.2404x - 1990.8
R² = 0.3948
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
SpringBiomass(lbs/A)
GDD - base 40F
Crimson and Annual Ryegrass Mix
Spring Biomass vs GDD accumulation

16. y = 4.7413x - 1817.4
R² = 0.4666
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Springbiomass(lbs/A)
GDD - base 40F
Crimson Clover and Triticale Mix
Spring Biomass vs GDD accumulation

17. y = 2.802x + 701.9
R² = 0.214
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Springbiomass(lbs/A)
GDD - base 40F
Tillage Radish/Hairy Vetch/Rye Mix
Spring Biomass vs GDD accumulation

18. y = 2.958x + 351.22
R² = 0.2474
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Springbiomass(lbs/A)
GDD - base 40F
Rye Oat Mix
Spring Biomass vs GDD accumulation

19. y = 3.6139x + 96.65
R² = 0.2718
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Springbiomass(lbs/A)
GDD - base 40F
Cereal Rye
Spring Biomass vs GDD accumulation

20. Average Protein concentration
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Crimson
oat
Crimson
ryegrass
Crimson
triticale
Huron
grain oat
Radish rye Radish
vetch rye
Rye Rye oat Ryegrass
oat
Ryegrass
triticale
Proteincocentration(%)

22. Conclusions
• Recent temperatures appear to have increased respective to recent past
• This opens new opportunities for cover crops and double cropping of
forages after corn silage
• Rye most productive, but other species have higher protein
concentrations
• Ryegrass and triticale mixtures with crimson clover look promising
• Cover crop adoption has dramatically increased
• It is important to use adapted varieties, proper seeding and
establishment methods, and timely establishment methods to have
success!

23. Cover Crop Website
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops/soil-management/cover-crops

24. Thank You!
Mena Hautau, Extension Educator, CCA
Penn State Extension-Berks County
1238 County Welfare Rd., Suite 110
Leesport, PA 19533