Article written by Cory Cowan, Crop Sales Specialist, AGRIS Co-Operative, Chatham Branch
It's time to setup our 2020 crop plans! One of the most important things we can do is look at ways to improve the health of our soils while making our fields more productive.
Making crop plans for fields already planted into Winter Wheat is the next step to make sure we can optimize yields with proper inputs and improve soil health with cover crops.
Planting a cover crop such as red clover is one of the easiest ways to reap the benefits of this very common crop. Many of us have under seeded clover into our wheat crops in the past, some with excellent results and some not so great. Let’s go over the benefits clover has to offer from a soil health, rotational aspects as well some tips to help zero in on the proper time to plant, and the benefits clover adds to your crop rotation.
Picking the correct clover
The two main red clovers that are used are single cut and double cut. The seed will germinate well under lower temperature which makes it a great fit for frost seeding into your winter wheat stand in the early spring. Single cut is slower growing, takes approximately two weeks longer to mature than double-cut, does not flower in seeding year and is more drought tolerant. Double cut can also be a great for soil conditioning. When both clovers are left to grow until mid-October the differences in total biomass are negligible.
Seeding red clover
Here in Ontario one of the best ways to establish red clover into wheat would be to frost seed during early spring by broadcasting the clover seed. The way to approach this is to wait for the majority of snow to have melted in order to prevent the movement of the seed but before fields become wet and muddy.
Try not to seed too early as late frost events can affect seedlings usually older more than younger ones as week old seedlings can tolerate -4°C. Ideally what you want is for the ground to thaw approximately two or three times after you have seeded the red clover.
A great way to broadcast clover would be utilizing an ATV with a spinner spreader in order to avoid compaction. Typically, red clover is spread at 8 to 10 lbs. per acre. Things to consider when trying to setup a nice consistent stand are applying recommended rates. Making sure equipment is spreading out an even application.
Avoid soil conditions that are too wet due to poor drainage or compaction may result might hindering germination as well seedling development. Low soil fertility levels usually P2O5, K20, and pH (Clover enjoys a pH of 6 to 7) should have been addressed for the wheat crop.
Clover will respond to residual fertility from the wheat crop such as sulfur. When harvesting the wheat crop try and get the most even spread pattern of straw from the combine, this will prevent smothering the clover and lead to better stand establishment.
Reasons why clover works so well with wheat
Clover has an extensive lateral root system that will explore the top 6” of your soil profile that will contribute to excellent tilth and structure. It also has a great tap root which can grow grows 60 to 90 cm per year that will help loosen up and grow through compacted layers in the field. To get the most out of your clover it is always best to let grow as long as possible logistically into the fall. You can mow when stands start to get too growthy which typically induce more root growth. With proper tillage and/or herbicides termination and management of left-over biomass can be easily taken care of in the fall.
Also be careful on picking your herbicide program as some commonly used wheat herbicides can terminate clover.
Added benefits
Clover adds considerable biomass which also improves your soil to help increase and sustain microbial life. Once established clover adds protection to your soil by decreasing soil erosion all while improving soil infiltration and structural strength. These added benefits in turn equates directly to water holding capacity, better infiltration and permeability rates within your soil profile which then helps with future crop yields.
Nitrogen credits from the clover tend to be higher when mechanically incorporated vs no till (expect 45 to 80 lbs./ac N - OMAFRA). N release occurs during June and July the following year which makes it excellent for growing corn.
Conclusion
Red clover under seeded into winter wheat not only is great for soil health and structure but will also increase yields of other crops in the rotation.
If you’d like to learn more about cover crops and how to properly establish them don’t hesitate to get a hold of your trusted local Crop Sales Specialist. Thank you and here’s to a positive and successful 2020 growing season!