Planting cover crops is one of the many ways growers can implement conservation practices on the farm. While the cost may be a deterrent for some, the long-term benefits are vast.
“Quick growing cover crops stabilize soil, protecting it from wind, rain, and snowmelt erosion,” said Andrew D. Moore, chief executive officer of the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA). “By mitigating erosion and runoff, they ultimately enhance water quality by minimizing sediment in waterways.”
Along with minimizing erosion, the practice also:
- Improves soil structure, allowing for increased moisture and aeration
- Retains and recycles of soil nutrients
- Increases organic matter
- Breaks insect and disease cycles
- Increases soil carbon sequestration
Additional Benefits Through Aerial Application
One of the common ways to seed cover crops is aerially. According to NAAA, aerial applicators seed 3.8 million acres of cover crops - that translates to 1.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide sequestered annually. EPA says that’s the equivalent of removing approximately 412,000 cars with carbon-combustion engines from the roads each year.
There’s evidence to suggest using aerial application to plant cover crops provides additional benefits as well. In addition to eliminating soil compaction concerns, the method provides more flexibility in timing.
For example, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), planting cover crops after harvest limits the species that can be used due to cold weather. But with aerial application, pilots can begin seeding prior to harvest without the risk of damaging the existing crop. This also allows the cover crop to achieve a good stand before residue is introduced.
UNL suggests beginning to aerially apply cover crops when soybean leaves start to yellow and drop or when leaves begin to senesce in corn. For non-irrigated crops, it may be more important to time seeding after a late August or early September rain instead of a specific development stage. Peoples Company adds local conditions should take precedence over general timing recommendations.
Selecting A Pilot
If aerial application of cover crops makes sense for your operation, Peoples Company recommends asking prospective pilots three questions to ensure uniformity in your crop:
- Do you do dry pattern testing?
- Have you handled the species being planted before?
- Can you assure the seed will be applied uniformly?
