Strip Tillage and Starter Nitrogen Management for Cover Crop Adoption in Central Iowa

The use of cover crops has numerous environmental benefits. However, farmers remain hesitant to change their current production practices mainly due to cost of implementation and potential yield drag. Aiming to design best management practices (BMPs) for the adoption of cereal rye between soybean and corn cropping system, this trial was conducted to evaluate if strip tillage and starter fertilizer can be implemented to increase corn seedling vigor, and hence decrease the negative impact of residual effect of rye on plant health and yield of the subsequent corn season.