Winter Rye
The use of cover crops has been expanding over the past couple of years, especially with the adoption of no-till practices. Cover crops have benefits ranging from soil retention to increasing soil organic matter. Another benefit of cover crops, referring to winter rye, is the ability to hold onto nutrients. This makes them available for the cash crop growing the following season. Also, reduces the amount of nutrients that end up in water supplies which can harm wildlife.
Nitrate Results
The National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment has conducted a study to test the efficacy of using Winter Rye covers to reduce the leaching of nitrate into ground water. This study was conducted over 40 sites across North Central United States. The results reported on no-tillfarmer.com stated that in ground that was tiled, using winter rye cover crop reduced the number of nitrates in ground water by 45 percent. This was compared to ground that was rye-free.
Drones Usage
Also, the question I’m sure you all are thinking. How do drones play into the usage of cover crops and reducing nitrate leaching? Drones have the ability to broadcast rye cover crop seed into a standing crop. This enables the rye to get a “head-start” and develop a strong root system before winter. Annual ryegrass can develop a root system up to 40 inches deep in 2 ½ months according to plantcovercrops.com.
Using a drone to apply cover crops allows the seed to take advantage of more growing degree units then if it were to be planted after harvest. It also not damaging to the standing crop that is currently growing in the field. If you were to drive an applicator through the field to apply the seed, it would damage the standing crop. Depending on the level of damage to the cash crop it could negate some of the benefits of using rye covers. Using drones and winter rye to reduce nitrate losses is just the beginning of drone possibilities.
If you have any questions feel free to reach out through the contact page!