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Re: Erosion vs. herbicides



Rick,

You can reduce erosion in corn by planting on the contour,
constructing terraces, using grassed waterways, etc.  Grass within the
corn row is going to be a problem unless you spray.  You could no-till
into alfalfa sod if you're willing to chemically kill the alfalfa the
previous fall, but that kind of defeats the purpose.

I'd suggest you first decide why you need to plant corn.  Is it
because you've decided you want to plant alfalfa and need a rotation
crop?  First, do you really need to rotate?  I think alfalfa can be
seeded into a field 3 weeks after a previous alfalfa stand has been
killed.

If that's the case, take your alfalfa off and on the last year, plow
it and reseed it in late August so the new seed can get started before
freeze-up.  I've tried growing alfalfa for sale and I think it's a
pretty dicey situation.  You have to cut it and get it up just right
and at the right time.

Maybe the solution is to not grow alfalfa and go with some other crop
that doesn't need to be reseeded.  Maybe you could contract MIG for
some local farmers.

My bottom line is to recommend you not force a given scenario - find a
good natural flow of farming that meets all your goals.  Good luck.
--

Jim - Farmer - Iowa City, IA, 
jnmeade@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu




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