Wide-Row Corn with Cover Crops
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
SECONDARY CONTACT
DR. ABBEY WICK
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
Wide-Row Corn Data Sheet
GENERAL INFORMATION:
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Farmer's Name |
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Location (City, State) |
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Field Location (Twnshp, Range, Section) |
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Location in Field |
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Number of Acres in Test Plot |
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What is your goal for wide-row corn? |
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Was your wide-row corn insured? |
Yes |
No |
If yes, by what company: |
PLOT INFORMATION:
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Slope Position |
Hilltop |
Side Slope |
Bottom Slope |
No Slope |
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Soil Texture |
Clay |
Clay Loam Loam |
Sandy Loam |
Sand Other: |
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Tillage Management |
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Prior Crop in Rotation |
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Next Crop in Rotation |
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Residue on Surface |
Yes |
No |
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CORN INFORMATION:
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Planting Date |
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Variety |
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Maturity |
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Population |
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Row Spacing |
60" |
44" |
Other: |
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Row Orientation |
East/West |
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North/South |
Twin Row: Yes No |
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Conditions at Planting (wet, dry) |
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CORN PLANTING EQUIPMENT INFORMATION:
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Equipment Used |
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Modifications |
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FERTILITY INFORMATION:
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STARTER |
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Fertilizer & Rate Applied |
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Date |
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Method of Application |
In-Furrow |
Broadcast |
Other: |
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SIDEDRESS |
Yes No |
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Fertilizer & Rate Applied |
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Date |
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Method of Application |
Coulter |
Drop-Tube |
Broadcast | Other: |
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How did this differ from your 30" row fertilizer program? |
COSTS:
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Corn Seed: |
Cover Crop Seed: |
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Chemical: |
Fertilizer: |
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Repairs: |
Fuel & Lube: |
WEED MANAGEMENT:
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Herbicide Applied |
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Rate |
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Date Applied |
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COVER CROP INFORMATION:
| Seeding Date | |
| Corn Growth Stage at Seeding | |
| Conditions at Seeding (wet, dry) | |
| Cover Crops | Species (Rate) |
COVER CROP SEEDING EQUIPMENT:
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Equipment Used |
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Modifications |
IN-SEASON OBSERVATIONS: (Firing of lower leaves, stalk strength, cover crop growth, etc.)
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Date: |
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| Photo: |
Yes No |
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Notes: |
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Date: |
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| Photo: |
Yes No |
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Notes: |
HARVEST INFORMATION:
| Harvest Date | ||||||||
| Conditions at Harvest | ||||||||
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Wide-Row Yield (60" or 44") |
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Standard Row Yield (30" or 22") |
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Notes: |
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End of Year Cover Crop Biomass Production |
Happy? |
Yes No |
Thoughts: |
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What was Done With the Cover Crop |
Grazed: |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Hayed: |
Fall | Winter | Spring |
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Forage Value if Hayed or Grazed |
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Weight Gain of Livestock if Grazed |
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Any Last Notes (plans to try again, effects on corn, cover crop mix, etc.):
