Cover Crop Legumes
Legumes are a great addition to cover crop mixes ahead of corn! Legumes are capable of fixing nitrogen which is beneficial to a following corn crop. In order to maximize their nitrogen fixation potential, legumes must be inoculated. Ask us if the inoculant you are needing is available!
Legumes are not only beneficial for their ability to help fix atmospheric nitrogen, they also increase soil organic matter, provide forage, improve water infiltration, and more! To achieve maximum benefit from legumes, allow them to reach bloom prior to terminating.
Hairy vetch is one of the easiest legume species to establish. It is also one of the highest biomass and nitrogen producers! Hairy vetch also offers great weed suppression and soil health benefits! Hairy vetch has proven to be one of the most winter hardy legumes in the midwest. We have observed that hairy vetch leaves more available nitrogen for the following crop than some other legumes.
Seed 6-15#/acre in a mixture by October 5.
Crimson clover is a very easy and cost effective legume to establish. Crimson is great for those looking to start using mixtures! Dixie crimson will successfully overwinter about 85% of the time. Crimson is typically the earliest blooming legume in the Midwest! Crimson is often used in mixes with other legumes, as it is typically the "sure thing" that producers will usually succeed to establish.
Seed 5-10#/acre in a mix by September 15th!
Balansa clover is very small-seeded clover that is hollow-stemmed. It is a prolific nitrogen producer, and is also a good hay option. Balansa clover tends to be slower to show above ground growth in early spring, but will focus its energy on developing a massive root system. In mid-late April, it becomes more visible and grows very rapidly. FIXatioN is a late maturing balansa and is capable of fixing more N than other varieties.
Seed 2-5#/acre in a mix by 9/20.
Peas are a great option for livestock producers looking to hay or graze their cover crops. Peas can produce lots of high quality biomass as well as fix up to 125# of N. Due to their large seed size, peas can be challenging to utilize with small seed. They do best with other grains. Peas should be planted 1/2" - 1.5" deep.
Seed 20-50#/acre in a mix for forage, or 5-15# in a mix for soil health by October 1.
Survivor winter peas have been bred to bring improved cold tolerance to winter peas. Survivor peas tend to be more vigorous and winter hardy than other common varieties, allowing them to fix more nitrogen. Survivor's early spring green up allows it to produce more biomass, benefitting those looking for forage!
Survivor peas make great hay!
For best results, seed 20-50#/acre in a mix for forage, or 5-15# in a mix for soil health by October 10.
Balansa clover is very small-seeded clover that is hollow-stemmed. It is a prolific nitrogen producer, and is also a good hay option. Balansa clover tends to be slower to show above ground growth in early spring, but will focus its energy on developing a massive root system. Maturity varies by variety! In mid-late April, it becomes more visible and grows very rapidly. Viper is an early maturing balansa.
Seed 2-5#/acre in a mix between July 15 - Sep 15.
Tips for success:
-
Inoculate legumes! Remember that specialty species like balansa or berseem clover require a different inoculant than standard clover.
-
Allow legumes to reach mid bloom before termination to maximize N fixation.
-
Even if legumes are not able to reach bloom prior to termination, they have still provide significant benefit as they have fixed some nitrogen, improved water infiltration, increased OM and much more!