Location: Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center
Project Number: 6020-21500-001-016-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Apr 1, 2024
End Date: Apr 1, 2025
Objective:
1. Determine cover crop and cash crop yields from four organic integrated crop-livestock systems.
2. Determine the effectiveness of cover crops on providing weed control in early establishment of cash crops.
3. Determine effects of cover crops and tillage treatments on soil health.
Approach:
A replicated field trial arranged as a randomized complete block design with four treatments will be used to measure agronomic and soil characteristics in four organic integrated crop-livestock systems. Baseline soil samples will be taken in year one and at the end of year three to determine effects of tillage and cover crops on soil health characteristics. Cover crops and cash crops will be harvested annually to determine yield and nutritive value. Weed pressure and plot botanical composition will be measured at two and six weeks post-planting, and at final harvest.
