<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593473623000.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By DALE YOUNKER K-State Research &amp; ExtensionOne thing
about living in Kansas is if you don’t like to current weather, don’t worry,
because it will change to the other extreme on the pendulum.&nbsp; A year ago, we all struggled to get fall
crops planted and the wheat harvested due to the extremely wet conditions.&nbsp; This year it’s the opposite, where many of us
planted crops in a dry seedbed with the hope and a prayer that the rain in the
forecast happens.&nbsp; The majority of
western Kansas is in a moderate to extreme drought, with some counties in the
far southwest in exceptional drought.&nbsp;
Some forecast models are indicating that these conditions could persist
through the growing season.&nbsp; Given the
current dry conditions and the prospect that this may continue you may think
that the last thing I would be wanting to talk about is planting cover
crops.&nbsp; But cover crops can provide as
many benefits in dry periods as they can wet periods, especially in fallow
systems where there will not be a cash crop planted until next spring.&nbsp; Much of this year’s wheat crop will be
shorter and thinner due to the dry conditions. Some of the late spring freezes
also set the wheat back and reduced the number of tillers on the plant.&nbsp; As a result, soil water evaporation rates
will be significant in this thinner, shorter wheat stubble.&nbsp; Yes, cover
crops will use some soil moisture like any other living growing plant,
including weeds.&nbsp; But a cover crop, that
is properly designed with the right species in the mix, and planted and
terminated timely, can mitigate that moisture use by reducing soil water
evaporation, improving water infiltration and increasing organic matter.&nbsp; So, when the rains do come, we can capture
and store more water in the soil then we would of without the cover crop.&nbsp; I typically
like to get a cover crop established in wheat stubble within a day or two after
harvest.&nbsp; It’s been my experience that
there is typically enough moisture near the soil surface for the seeds to
germinate and emerge. &nbsp;But after losing
the canopy that the mature wheat provided the moisture evaporates quickly.&nbsp; This year may be the exception where there
simply is no soil moisture close to the surface to get anything to come
up.&nbsp; We may have to delay the cover crop
planting until we get some decent rain.&nbsp;
This would not necessarily be a bad thing.&nbsp; Likely there would then be a flush of weeds
and volunteer wheat that we could eliminate before planting the cover. I would
stick with predominately low water use species in the mix.&nbsp; Millets work well in this situation.&nbsp; They are shallow rooted and grow and mature
quickly and very drought tolerant once established.&nbsp; Seed costs are reasonable because the seed is
small and just a few pounds is all that is needed in a mix.&nbsp; Because of the small seed size planting depth
should be no more then about an inch deep.&nbsp;
I would also add a small amount deep rooted species like sunflowers
turnips or radishes.&nbsp; They can really
help with breaking compaction layers that almost all cropped fields have.&nbsp; &nbsp;Some
of these species can also be great habitat for beneficial insects and
pollinators.&nbsp; Adding a legume, like sunn
hemp can also be beneficial in the mix if allowed to grow long enough the
nodulate and fix nitrogen.&nbsp; If the
planting is delayed until after early-August, oats could be added to the
mix.&nbsp; The oats really help feed the soil
biology that is critical to building and maintaining soil aggregates, which in
turn increases soil porosity.&nbsp; Most summer
planted cover mixes will frost terminate once temperatures get cold enough in
the fall.&nbsp; But if dry conditions persist
through late summer it may be appropriate to terminate the cover early so it
doesn’t continue to use moisture that may be needed for the next cash
crop.&nbsp; This is really a judgement call
based on current conditions at the time and long-term weather forecasts.&nbsp; If you used an
herbicide in the growing wheat herbicide carryover could be a concern.&nbsp; &nbsp;Many post
wheat herbicides provide long term residual weed control have long plant back restrictions.
&nbsp;These herbicides could inhibit the
germination and growth of many cover crop species.&nbsp; Always check your herbicide label and if in
doubt consult with your supplier or crop advisor. The Risk
Management Agency (RMA) has recently adjusted the crop insurance provisions
regarding cover crops and termination guidelines, easing many of the prior
restrictions.&nbsp; I would suggest that you
contact your crop insurance agent before planting the cover crop to make sure
you are meeting all the insurance requirements.For more
information about cover crops or other soil health practices you can contact me
at <a href="mailto:dale.younker@usda.gov">dale.younker@usda.gov</a> or any local NRCS office.Dale Younker is the&nbsp;Soil Health Specialist at the&nbsp;Natural Resources Conservation Service&nbsp;in Jetmore.

YOUNKER: Planting a summer cover crop in wheat stubble