Joe Breker runs the home farm at Havana, North Dakota. It’s been zero till for 35 years and has had cover crops such as radish, peas, turnip and flax in the mix for the past 10 years.
To say that the Brekers farm scientifically would be a understatement.
Joe’s brother, Gene, recalls participating in a North Dakota State University corn nitrogen study last year, comparing nitrogen inputs and corn yields with other farmers from around the state.
“Other growers added 120 pounds to 160 pounds of nitrogen to capitalize on their corn yield. Our information said we only needed 50 to 60 lb. of nitrogen,” he said.
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“So I asked the manager of the study if that meant we’re raising 50 bushels less corn.
He said, ‘absolutely not. Your yield is fully competitive with everyone else. Your nutrient level is so high with the cover crops in the field. That’s bringing up your nutrient levels.’
“There were a couple other long-term no-tillers in the NDSU study, but it seems the cover crop my brother grew made the difference for lower fertilizer requirements.”
The Breker brothers says radish is especially good in heavier soil. The roots go deep to make passages so water infiltrates deeper into the soil.
The crop also brings nutrients up to the top soil layers and leave little surface residue.
“My cousin uses his Amity special soybean opener with the fertilizer bander to put peas down the trench three inches deep with radishes or turnips shallower on each side,” said Gene.
“If you’ve got three slots, might as well use them all. He gets a really nice looking cover crop. He’ll do that on wheat in his rotation.”
