Developing an Efficient Cover Cropping System for Massachusetts

Fall-winter losses of nitrogen (N) by leaching in corn fields can be reduced significantly if cover crops are used and planted early. This research project investigates early establishment of cover crops for end-of-season N conservation. The project includes:

- Determining critical seeding dates for seeding cover crops for maximum N recovery and establishing a growing degree day (GDD) model that specifies the critical seeding dates for Massachusetts statewide.

- Interseeding alternative cover crops including annual ryegrass, winter rye, smooth bromegrass, and red clover into growing corn.

- Use of shorter season corn hybrids rather than full season maturity hybrids for earlier corn harvest dates.

- Determining the earliest time of corn planting for optimal silage yield and quality.

Funded in part by UMass Experiment Station, UMass Extension, USDA-SARE, and MDAR-AIC.