Page Title

Wide-Row Corn with Cover Crops

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On-Farm Observations to Compliment Research Plots

Bryce Andersen and Abbey Wick, Extension Soil Health

Wide-Row Corn with Cover Crops

The topic of wide-row corn (60” or 44” spacing) with cover crops seeded between the rows came up at many of the NDSU Extension meetings in the winter of 2019/2020. Several farmers are planning on giving this a try, so we want to help collect information from on-farm experiences to compliment research plots being supported by funding from the ND Corn Council at the Carrington Research Extension Center.

We have created a wide-row corn data sheet to help us get observational information about this practice using your on-farm trials. Please fill out as much of the information as you can throughout the growing season and keep us posted along the way. If there is something missing from this sheet, add the info in your notes. Remember to take plenty of pics too!

Bryce Andersen (NDSU Soil Health Technician) is taking the lead on this project, so please reach out to him with any questions and to share what you’re seeing via email. If a phone call is easier, you can give me a call or send a text. Both of our contact information is listed on this letter and also on the upper right hand corner of the data sheet.

Once you have completed the data sheet please return it to Bryce at your earliest convenience.

Thanks for participating,

Abbey Wick

NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist

PRIMARY CONTACT

BRYCE ANDERSEN

BRYCE.J.ANDERSEN@NDSU.EDU

SECONDARY CONTACT

DR. ABBEY WICK

ABBEY.WICK@NDSU.EDU

701-850-6458 (CELL)

Goal: Create a network of farmers trying wide-row corn and cover crops to share ideas, experiences and to compliment NDSU research plots at Carrington Research Extension Center.

Other Collaborators: Dr. Mike Ostlie (NDSU CREC), Kelly Cooper (NDSU CREC), Dr. Marisol Berti (NDSU), Dr. Joel Ransom (NDSU), Wild Rice Soil Conservation District

Sections

Wide-Row Corn Data Sheet

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Farmer's Name

 

 

 

Location (City, State)

 

 

 

Field Location (Twnshp, Range, Section)

 

 

 

Location in Field

 

 

 

Number of Acres in Test Plot

 

 

 

What is your goal for wide-row corn?

 

 

 

Was your wide-row corn insured?

Yes

No

If yes, by what company:

PLOT INFORMATION:

Slope Position

Hilltop

Side Slope

Bottom Slope

No Slope

Soil Texture

Clay

Clay Loam   Loam

Sandy Loam

Sand  Other:

Tillage Management

 

 

 

 

Prior Crop in Rotation

 

 

 

 

Next Crop in Rotation

 

 

 

 

Residue on Surface

Yes

No

 

 

CORN INFORMATION:

Planting Date

 

 

 

 

Variety

 

 

 

 

Maturity

 

 

 

 

Population

 

 

 

 

Row Spacing

60"

44"

Other:

 

Row Orientation

East/West

 

North/South

Twin Row:  Yes   No

Conditions at Planting (wet, dry)

 

 

 

 

CORN PLANTING EQUIPMENT INFORMATION:

Equipment Used

 

 

 

 

Modifications

 

 

 

 

 FERTILITY INFORMATION:

STARTER

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer & Rate Applied

 

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

Method of Application

In-Furrow

Broadcast

Other:

 

SIDEDRESS

Yes No

 

 

 

Fertilizer & Rate Applied

 

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

Method of Application

Coulter

Drop-Tube

Broadcast Other:

How did this differ from your 30" row 

fertilizer program?

       

COSTS:

Corn Seed:

Cover Crop Seed:

Chemical:

Fertilizer:

Repairs:

Fuel & Lube:

 WEED MANAGEMENT:

Herbicide Applied

 

Rate

 

Date Applied

 

COVER CROP INFORMATION:

corn-plant
Seeding Date  
Corn Growth Stage at Seeding  
Conditions at Seeding (wet, dry)  
Cover Crops Species (Rate)

COVER CROP SEEDING EQUIPMENT:

Equipment Used

 

Modifications

 

IN-SEASON OBSERVATIONS: (Firing of lower leaves, stalk strength, cover crop growth, etc.)

Date:

 
Photo:

Yes   No

Notes:

 

Date:

 
Photo:

Yes   No

Notes:

 

HARVEST INFORMATION:

Harvest Date                
Conditions at Harvest                

Wide-Row Yield (60" or 44")

 

 

 

 

 

     

Standard Row Yield (30" or 22")

 

 

 

 

 

     

Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

     

End of Year Cover Crop Biomass Production

Happy?

Yes   No

 

Thoughts:

 

     

What was Done With the Cover Crop

Grazed:

Fall

Winter

   Spring

Hayed:

Fall Winter Spring

Forage Value if Hayed or Grazed

 

 

 

 

 

     

Weight Gain of Livestock if Grazed

 

 

 

 

 

     

 Any Last Notes (plans to try again, effects on corn, cover crop mix, etc.):