Bob Recker of Cedar Valley Innovation LLC in Iowa received a $28,870 SARE Farmer/Rancher grant in 2022 to promote the adoption of cover crops and improve soil health among local farmers. Building upon his previous work with wide-row corn and cover crops, Recker aimed to demonstrate the benefits of these practices on grower-owned plots through side-by-side replicated trials. His goal was to provide credible, on-farm comparisons of traditional and innovative practices, with a focus on water runoff, soil health, and crop yields.
The project involved collaborating with farmers Michael Cook, Graham Thompson, and Loran Steinlage to implement wide-row corn plots with aggressive multi-species cover crops. Recker's previous research had shown a 56% reduction in water runoff with cleaner runoff water when using 90-inch twin-row corn with cover crops compared to traditional 30-inch rows without cover crops. This new project expanded on these findings by testing various cover crop treatments in grower fields, utilizing small equipment for efficient and quick seeding. Results from this project indicated that the use of cover crops significantly reduced soil erosion and improved nutrient retention, with measurable improvements in soil organic matter.
Recommendations from Recker:
- Incorporate cover crops early: Plant cover crops early in the season to maximize their benefits in reducing soil erosion and improving water retention.
- Utilize multi-species cover crops: Select a mix of cover crops to enhance soil structure, increase biodiversity, and improve nutrient cycling.
- Adopt wide-row corn systems: Implement wide-row corn systems, such as 90-inch rows, to better accommodate cover crops and enhance soil health.
- Start small: For farmers new to cover cropping, begin with a smaller area to evaluate effectiveness before scaling up.
- Utilize small equipment for planting: Use small-scale, low-cost equipment to efficiently plant cover crops, especially for smaller farms or those with limited resources.
- Regular soil testing: Conduct soil tests periodically to monitor improvements in organic matter and nutrient levels, thereby refining cover cropping strategies over time.
Throughout the project, Recker engaged in extensive outreach, including 30 consultations, three on-farm demonstrations, five tours, three webinars, and two workshop field days. His efforts led to 10 farmers adopting new practices and four new working collaborations. One of the most notable findings was that participating farmers saw improvements in soil structure, making fields easier to work with in subsequent seasons. Additionally, a grower who began using cover crops for the first time reported improved crop yields, particularly in drought conditions. Recker’s work continues to influence local agricultural practices, with a growing number of farmers recognizing the long-term benefits of cover crops in sustainable farming.
"This process has been very effective for me in enabling collaboration with several growers who have very different business models, and very limited time and energy for experiments of the type I like to do to explore relatively 'radical' concepts, such as the Opportunity Space between wide row corn," said Recker. "My suggestion is that SARE bring a relatively open mind to these experiments; the industry is very good at incremental changes; USDA/SARE has a very key role to play in enabling independent research and explorations of non-traditional solutions to well-known problems."