Cover Crop

Question 1

Uses for cover crop

Answer 1

• Introduce competition for vigor (039-16)
• Soak up water in wet climates
• build mulch for water retention (Hanzell)
• prevent erosion (Douro)
• add traction
• help with water penetration
• fight pests
• prevent compaction
• biodiversity
• recycling nutrients
• reduce dust

Negatives:

• can be expensive
• can compete for water
• increased vertebrate pests
• increased frost risk

Question 2

Specific crops

Answer 2

Grasses: fibrous roots prevent erosion, can absorb water and nitrogen in vigorous sites, competitive with weeds
- example: Kelly Maher uses with 039-16 to devigorate

Legumes: tap roots aid water penetration, adds nitrogen to deficient soils (nitrogen fixing)

 - negative: can attract rodents
 - example: At Dujac have a few vineyards on mother rock so sew legumes to fix Nitrogen
 - example: Kelly Maher stopped using because alfafa hopper likes and can spread red blotch

Insectory mixes: attracts beneficial insects
- example: Larkmead every 8th row

Brassicas: include mustard and daikon, is a fumigant that repels nematodes, weed suppressant
- example: Kelly Maher uses to fight nematodes

Cereals: can be drought tolerant, cheap

Fescues: bunchgrass, good weed suppressant, good traction, good for dry-farming

Question 3

Quantities and expense

Answer 3

• Harlan uses 60-70lbs of cover crop a year. They have lots of loss because of dry-casting.
• cereals range from $0.30 - $10/lb
• Barley $0.30/lb
• Clovers $3-4/lb
• poppies and wildflowers are more