Iowa farmer Bob Recker of Cedar Valley Innovation LLC is reimagining corn production with wide-row spacing and vigorous cover cropping. With two NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grants, Recker has been working with farmers like Michael Cook, Graham Thompson, and Loran Steinlage to compare standard 30" corn rows to 60" and 90" wide-row systems planted with multi-species cover crops.
The findings reveal significant benefits, including a 56% reduction in water runoff, enhanced nutrient retention, improved soil organic matter, and stronger growth of cover crops. Using small-scale equipment, Recker helps farmers trial these practices efficiently on real farms, making sustainable innovation more accessible.
Wide Row Cover Crops 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 conducted extensive outreach activities, including 30 consultations, three on-farm demonstrations, five tours, three webinars, and two workshop field days. As a result of these efforts, 10 farmers adopted new practices, and four new collaborations were formed. One of the most significant findings was that participating farmers experienced improvements in soil structure, which made their fields easier to work with in subsequent seasons. Additionally, a grower who used cover crops for the first time reported improved crop yields, especially during drought conditions. Recker's work continues to influence local agricultural practices, with an increasing number of farmers recognizing the long-term benefits of cover crops.
"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."
About Farmer Rancher Grants
NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant program starts accepting proposals in mid-August.
View Related SARE Grants:
- Demonstration of Utilization of Cover Crops in Wide Row Corn to Improve Soil Health (FNC21-1297)
- Wide Row Cover Crop Demonstrations for Soil and Water Quality Improvement (FNC22-1348)