By Scout Nelson
Farmers in western North Dakota have planted cover crops such as cereal rye and triticale this fall. However, a prolonged dry spell has delayed crop emergence, say North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension specialists.
The North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network reports over 30 days of less than half an inch of rain in much of western North Dakota, with parts of the northwest region seeing little to no rain for nearly four months. As a result, cover crops and winter cereals are struggling to germinate due to insufficient moisture.
“Even cover crops that were drilled or disked in and benefited from the seed-to-soil contact, will have poor emergence if soil moisture is not adequate,” notes Victor Gomes, NDSU Extension cropping systems specialist. However, many cover crops can stay dormant over winter, only germinating when sufficient warmth and moisture return in the spring.
This process, known as dormant seeding, differs from frost seeding, which occurs late in winter once the soil freezes. Gomes explains that when crops stay dormant, they can emerge early in spring, providing valuable ground cover for the coming growing season.
Specialists recommend planting cover crops once soil temperatures drop to around 35°F but before freezing solid or snow cover. Dormant seeding becomes effective when soil moisture levels are low, preventing premature germination. Emergence begins when soil temperatures rise to about 38-40°F, with adequate moisture to support growth.
Successful dormant seeding involves several considerations:
Cover Crop Selection: Crops like cereal rye, winter camelina, hairy vetch, and triticale are winter hardy, making them ideal choices. Farmers should avoid using cereal rye before planting wheat or barley.
Proper Planting Technique: Drilling seeds into the soil is crucial to ensure seed-to-soil contact and avoid issues with snow runoff.
Termination Timing: Allowing cover crops to grow as long as possible in spring helps achieve benefits. For summer crops, such as corn or soybeans, a longer growth period is beneficial, while for spring cereals, early ground cover is still advantageous. Specialists advise terminating cover crops 10 to 14 days before planting cash crops.
Planting Green Option: Some farmers choose to plant cash crops directly into living cover crops. When doing so, it’s essential to terminate the cover crop within weeks to prevent soil moisture loss.
While dormant seedling carries some risks, it provides an option for farmers facing drought conditions. As Gomes explains, “While good cover crop emergence and establishment in the fall is preferred, when not enough moisture is available, having some ground cover available early in the spring is still better than no ground cover.”
Photo Credit:gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Weather