Cover crops can prevent erosion of drought-stricken fields

Farmers in drought-stricken areas of the Prairies should consider a cover crop to prevent erosion, say scientists studying the long-term effects of cover crops on soil productivity.

This year’s drought has left many fields deprived of much-needed crop residue and therefore more susceptible to erosion, say Dr. Bob Blackshaw and Dr. Jim Moyer, scientists at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre. They have been studying cover crops as a way to boost the health of Prairie soils.

Cover crops may not be something farmers in this year’s drought regions would usually consider, say scientists. For one thing, it will be an unfamiliar practice for many producers in the Black Soil Zone who don’t typically face a lack of crop residue on their fields. As well, they may be hesitant to spend money to plant a cover crop in a year where resources are limited.

“Research at Swift Current suggests there should be 1,000 pounds of crop residue per acre to prevent erosion,” says Blackshaw. “The drought and grasshoppers have resulted in very sparse crops which will provide very little protection.”

Producers considering planting cover crops should do so as soon as possible, say Blackshaw and Moyer. “You want to have four to six weeks of growth on cover crops before the final killing frost, which for cereals can be fairly late,” says Blackshaw. “So it’s in a producer’s best interest to plant cover crops sooner rather than later, if there’s enough moisture for germination.”

In terms of which crop works best as a cover crop, Moyer says there is no standout choice in terms of ability to germinate and produce ground cover. However, mustard is less palatable to grasshoppers and that may be an important consideration.

Fall rye or winter wheat are also good choices for some since they leave the producer with a chance to use the crop for emergency grazing, hay or silage next year, or the option to grow out the crop for grain. Oats and barley are also fairly vigorous crops; they won’t survive the winter and will be easy to seed through in 2003.

“Farmers know they’ve been hurt by this year’s drought and they need to ensure they minimize its long-term effects,” says Blackshaw. “Cover crops are one way to ensure this year’s drought doesn’t affect future yields.”

Research on crop and soil sustainability conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre illustrates the government’s commitment to support research that minimizes environmental impacts as proposed in the new Agriculture Policy Framework. The framework will help increase and improve the use of farm management systems that enhance efficiency and performance, and secure the long-term sustainability of producers’ operations.

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