Cover Crops: Good for Forage, Too!

This year's drought is especially hard on livestock - there's not much growing for them to munch on. Today we learned that sixty-four Indiana counties are now "primary natural disaster areas" due to the lack of rain, and Conservation Reserve and Wetland Reserve acreage has been opened up for emergency forage and haying.

However, according to Dave Robison at PlantCoverCrops.com, "Harvesting cover crops for emergency fall forage may be able to play a major role in lessening the impact of the 2012 drought disaster for livestock producers."

His article is copied in part here; you can read the full version here.
"I have received phone call after phone call from dairy and beef producers asking what cover crops they can use to provide food for their animals this fall and winter. Below I have listed a variety of choices that may work well for producers needing feed (if we get rain). By the way, these choices are also excellent cover crops."

Dave recommends these crops for forage:

• Sudangrass or Sorghum X Sudangrass
• Spring Oats/Spring Triticale
• Oats and Crimson Clover
• Oats and Cereal Rye (or Winter Triticale)
• Oats (or Spring Triticale) and Peas (Forage or Austrian Winter Peas)
• Annual Ryegrass/Annual Ryegrass – Crimson Clover Mix or Italian Ryegrass
• Spring or Winter Barley

Hot, Dry, and Difficult

Drought-stressed corn in Terre Haute, IN.
Photo source.

Drought: "a period of dryness especially when prolonged; specifically one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth" (Merriam Webster). 

As of last week, Indiana is officially the most affected by this year's drought, out of all the corn- and soy-producing states.

The central part of the state may even face mandatory water restrictions, something that naturally-dry states like Arizona are familiar with but are almost unheard of here in normally water-rich Hoosier country. Most of a recent spike in water usage is due to homeowners watering their lawns.

Farmers are seeing the results of all their planning and preparation turn not green, but brown and yellow.

Though this year may end up as a loss in the books, it's far from time to throw in the towel. This year is one that will test us and provide us with valuable information & experience for any future difficult years.

NRCS and the Purdue Extension have compiled some very timely and useful websites for those looking for advice and information. 

For farmers, consider this "silver lining:" Remaining nutrients in the soil can be captured for use next year. Purdue scientists and NRCS agronomists agree that most of the nitrogen (a commonly-applied fertilizer) will not be used by the crops this year. As such, it is wise to consider planting a cover crop, which will store the residual nitrogen for future use.

For homeowners, remember to water your lawn and gardens when the sun isn't shining, at most once per week, and consider setting out a bowl of water for thirsty neighborhood wildlife and pets.