"Our research has the potential to have an impact on a wide variety of producers, both conventional and organic, in northwest Minnesota. It involves a number of different crops and potential new crops or cropping systems. " - Paul M. Porter

Disease ravaged crops, low crop prices and population changes in northwest Minnesota during the 1990s resulted in increased agronomic, economic, and social stresses for producers. This project (MIN-13-064) examines various cropping systems, cover crops, and alternative crops for incorporation into the cropping systems there. The project works with a number of crops and cropping systems, including canola, rye as a cover crop, organic production of small grains and soybean, and niger, a potential new crop.

Research on Canola

Production of canola (Brassica napus), introduced to northwest Minnesota in the late 1980s, increased to almost 200,000 acres before leveling off at under 100,000 acres in the early 2000s. A good rotation crop with small grain, it must be planted as early in spring as possible. Many varieties, including genetically modified varieties, are available. Sclerotinia (white mold), which also infects many other broadleaf crops, can decrease canola yields. Because of the disease's severity, proper crop rotation is critical for optimum yields.

Canola research includes trials with conventional and genetically modified (primarily Roundup Ready) varieties at several locations in northwest Minnesota, with results reported in the annual Minnesota Variety Trials Results bulletin and on the web. We also hold variety trial field days. Research on herbicide and fungicide timing, rate and efficacy provides producers with valuable recommendations. A 'misting facility' near Red Lake Falls lets us modify the canola canopy's microclimate to research the relationships between sclerotinia infection and severity and variety response. A long-term rotation trial established near Roseau in 2000 to evaluate the influence of varying rotation lengths on canola growth and development was compromised by the 2002 floods. In 2003 we initiated a canola rotation trial near Thief River Falls involving a rye cover crop.

We are also evaluated fall-planted winter-type canola and dormant seeding of spring-type canola. A three-year study of 3 winter-type varieties grown at three locations in the state began in 2002. Although there are several compelling environmental reasons for growing fall-planted canola, planting date, variety selection and winter survival must be worked out to reduce the risk of crop failure.

Research on Rye as a Cover Crop

There are several environmental reasons why rye (Secale cereale) should be planted as a cover crop in Minnesota. Hydrology data show that in many state watersheds about one-third of the annual precipitation and half the annual runoff occurs between October and April. Most annual crops in Minnesota are planted in May and mature by September, so they don't use all the annual precipitation. Moisture in the soil profile is generally recharged in fall after harvest and spring rains typically result in surface runoff. A rye cover crop would use some of the excess moisture and reduce runoff.

Because a rye cover crop uses both fall and early spring soil moisture, less water moves through the soil profile and into tile lines. Also, rye cover crops use nitrogen for growth and development. Nitrogen, water soluble, moves with water through the soil profile. A rye cover crop in a corn-soybean rotation reduces water and nitrate nitrogen lost through subsurface tile drainage compared with not growing a cover crop in the corn-soybean rotation.

The best place for rye in the crop rotation is following corn or small grains, as rye uses and ties up soil nitrate-nitrogen, leaving it largely unavailable for the subsequent crop. Corn and small grains need nitrogen and nearly all acreage planted to these crops receives nitrogen fertilizer before or at planting.

Another important reason to plant rye after corn or small grain rather than after soybean (which does not need nitrate-nitrogen directly from the soil) is the crop grown the subsequent season. Soybean planted into rye can be planted later in the spring without the yield loss of other crops planted later, which are more susceptible to yield loss due to delayed planting. Also, soybean's growing point moves above ground faster than that of corn or small grain, making soybean more prone to frost damage if it is planted too early.

Research on Organic Production of Small Grains and Soybean

Growing numbers of consumers and producers prefer organics and the USDA and trade groups report that sales of organics have increased more than 20 percent annually since 1990. Land in certified organic production more than doubled in Minnesota from 1997 to 2001 and the state leads the nation in production of organic corn and soybeans. Many of Minnesota's certified organic producers are in the northwest. Partly due to producer requests, we conducted soybean, wheat and oat variety trials at two locations in 2002 and, in conjunction with North Dakota State University researchers, will continue the wheat and oat variety trials for the next couple of years. Initial trial results suggest that newly released wheat and oat varieties have superior yield potentials, even when grown organically. About 25 people attended field days associated with the variety trials. We are also conducting trials on the efficacy of selected organic inputs or additives available to organic producers.

Research on Niger

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica), imported to the United States, is an annual oilseed crop grown in Ethiopia and India in rotation with cereals and pulses. In the U.S. the niger seed, also called thistle seed, is used mainly as bird food, especially for finches.

University of Minnesota research in the early 1980s found that niger produced little or no seed and concluded that the genotypes tested were not adapted to the northern plains' relatively short growing season. However, a private plant breeder in Minnesota developed an early maturing variety called EarlyBird in recent years. Members of a newly formed niger growers cooperative in northwest Minnesota have grown this variety on limited acreage since 1998. The producers were initially offered a contract recommending a seed rate of about 1.5 pounds of seed per acre. This rate was based on the rate from countries with mainly non-mechanized farming systems, using a different variety. Our research to recommend an EarlyBird seeding rate for northwest Minnesota was done at eight to ten seeding rates at multiple locations. Results suggest that a rate of approximately 4 to 6 pounds of seed per acre provides optimum yields, early canopy closure and uniform seed maturation.

This research has the potential to impact a wide variety of producers, both conventional and organic, in northwest Minnesota. It involves a number of different crops and potential new crops or cropping systems (canola, rye as a cover crop, niger, organic production systems). The canola research has had an impact on canola growers (who produce over 100,000 acres of canola annually), who have benefited from the variety trial evaluations and the herbicide and fungicide evaluations. Likewise, the niger research has impacted the planting patterns of the handful of growers who are currently growing this crop. There is a potential for approximately 100,000 acres to be grown in this state within 5 years if the processing and marketing issues are worked out. Legal issues surrounding the production and marketing of niger have limited acreage grown, but producers who grow it have adopted a substantially higher seeding rate as a result of our research.

The research on the variety selection for organic soybean, wheat and oat production will potentially influence upwards of 100,000 acres under certified organic produciton. The rye cover crop research and the fall-seeded winter-canola research have provided information that could lead to adoption of the practices within ten years.

A rye cover crop on the landscape during the fall, winter and spring reduces soil loss from wind and water erosion, especially on soil types are prone to wind erosion and on land with long or steep slopes prone to water erosion. Over time, this reduction in soil loss translates to dollars saved due to the need for reduced fertility requirements and ditch maintenance. When coupled with reduced tillage, using a rye cover crop in a certain rotations could also substantially reduce the costs associated with tillage.

Results from our experiments will document why rye cover crops have the potential to positively influence our agroecosystems, especially if the practice is recognized by incentive packages such as the USDA Conservation Security program. The long-term environmental benefit of adoption of a fall-planted winter cover crop (such as rye) would be a more efficient utilization of our water resources, a reduction in water runoff and soil erosion, and a reduction in nitrate-nitrogen loss to surface and ground water. Similarly, the adoption of a fall-planted winter canola would lead to a winter cover on the land, resulting in a more efficient utilization of our water resources, and a reduction in water runoff and soil erosion.

The organic research facilitates production technologies for organic producers. In general, organic producers are keenly aware of the negative environmental influence of a restricted crop rotation and the use of synthetic chemical inputs.

Some people believe that organic farming is an alternative to the often spoken phrase "get larger or get out of farming." Organic farmers are able to add value to their crops by virtue of price premiums. In general, they have smaller farms, and value having many neighbors farming. They often state that their quality of life is enhanced by this type of farming as their mental health is improved because they are happy about their decision to farm organically, they feel connected to the community around them, they are content to not have to work with potentially harmful chemicals, and they feel their diet and nutrition is improved.

Minnesota County
All Counties, Becker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Northwest, Pennington, Polk East, Polk West, Red Lake, Roseau

Web Site for Further Information

Primary Researcher
Paul Porter
pporter@umn.edu

Participating Individuals
Hans Kandel - U of MN Extension Service - Red Lake County Extension Educator
3 Undergraduate Students
1 Graduate Students

Participating Institutions
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Pat Carr, NDSU Bob Henson, NDSU North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Minnesota Canola Counciil North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education Northwest Regional Partnership USDA/CSREES North Central Region Canola Research

Department
Agronomy and Plant Genetics

Government Funding Type
Federal
State

Additional Funding Information
Average annual funding is $50,000.00