Two weeks ago in our newsletter we discussed the soil health benefits of a post-wheat cover crop. This week we’ll be looking at the economic advantages of a post-wheat cover crop including growing nitrogen, reducing inputs and grazing livestock. In addition, we’ll take a look at some things to consider to ensure the cover crop is safe and palatable for your livestock.
Growing Nitrogen for the Next Crop
Every pound of biologically fixed nitrogen is one less you have to purchase from the co-op. On the high end of the scale we’ve seen cover crops of hairy vetch produce over 200lbs of nitrogen that was then available for the following corn crop. The cover crop you grow after your wheat harvest could easily produce 60-120 pounds of nitrogen for you to utilize in your next cash crop. While that’s a wide range, even 60lbs of nitrogen will save you money on fertilizer. Using biology to harness the free atmospheric nitrogen that we all have access to will almost always be less expensive than using chemistry. If you’re interested in learning more and seeing some case studies in action check out this article from our Soil Health Resource Guide.
Reducing Your Inputs
While planting a cover crop isn’t free, you will reduce the need for herbicide which, depending on your herbicide program and the type of cover crop you chose, could save you money on a per acre basis. The cost of buying and planting a post-wheat cover crop could range anywhere from $25-45/acre. If you do the math for your operation, can that save you some money? Don’t forget all the other added benefits of having a living root in the soil as opposed to a fallow field.
Grazing Livestock
Whenever you can decrease the cost of feed for your livestock you’re gaining profitability. Mechanically harvested feed is one of the most expensive ways to administer forage to livestock, whether it’s hay, silage, or grain. When the livestock are out on pasture doing their own harvesting the cost of that forage is much lower. After you harvest wheat you have the perfect window to plant a summer cover crop that can be grazed in the summer, fall, winter, and even possibly the following spring. A grazed forage crop following a small grain is almost like a double crop system and can yield huge financial benefits when you have livestock to utilize that forage. Get an in depth look at the numbers in this article from Dale Strickler on page 38 of our Soil Health Resource Guide.
Being profitable with cover crops is all about management. Tons of producers are finding success with it every year. If you’re curious about utilizing cover crops on your operation this year give us a call and we would be happy to find a mix that works for you.
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