Location: Dairy Forage Research
Project Number: 5090-21500-002-039-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 22, 2023
End Date: Sep 21, 2025
Objective:
Determine how ground pressure from various tire and vehicle configurations during harvest impacts soil characteristics and crop yields of alfalfa intercropped with corn.
Approach:
Small plot studies indicate alfalfa-corn intercropping can enhance soil and nutrient conservation and improve forage production but the impact of full-sized harvest equipment on this production system is not known. A replicated field experiment will be initiated in May 2024 at the Cooperator's farm to examine five levels of wheel traffic intensity imposed on the intercropping system. The study will include a conventionally established and harvested stand of spring solo-seeded alfalfa as a control treatment. Measurements will include corn silage yield and post-harvest assessments of soil compaction and alfalfa stand density, health, and forage yield.
