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North Dakota - Report Cover crops as a source of nitrogen for bioenergy crops, forage for hay and

fall grazing, salinity management, and prevented planting. April, 2012 to March, 2013

Marisol Berti1, O. Teuber1, D. Samarappuli1, A. Aponte1, H. Kandel1, P. Carr2, S. Zwinger3 and

E. Eriksmoen4

1Dept. of Plant Sciences, NDSU 2Dickinson Research Extension Center, NDSU 3Carrington Research Extension Center, NDSU

4North Central Research Extension Center, Minot, NDSU

COMPLETED RESEARCH 1. Effect of Integration of Cover Crops into Existing Cropping Systems on Crop Yields and Biomass for Forage Production Authors: Hans Kandel1, Patrick Carr2, Eric Eriksmoen3, and Yvonne Lawley4

1Extension Agronomist Plant Sciences Department NDSU, Fargo, ND 2Agronomist Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson, ND 3Agronomist North Central Research Extension Center, Minot, ND 4Assistant Professor University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada Introduction Before using cover crops in the cropping system it is important to decide what the purpose is of the cover crop, forage crop, or cover crop mixture. Using a mixture of cover crops may allow producers to meet several goals simultaneously. Mixtures add more diversity, as they grow at different times, may be able to better compete with weeds, optimize nutrient cycling, and use the available moisture in a more efficient manner. Creating conditions beneficial to the next crop (mellowing the soil and or addition of biologically fixed nitrogen) is usually one of the primary goals of a cover crop. Water used by a cover crop during the period after the main crop has been harvested might be one of the objectives in a relatively wet year. In North Dakota spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) is typically seeded in the early spring and wheat is harvested at the end of July or early August. Winter wheat is also grown in North Dakota and typically is harvested two weeks before spring wheat. The average first killing frost in the fall is around the 20th of September in Central North Dakota. The period from wheat harvest to first killing frost would be available for additional forage or biomass production. If a mixture of more cold tolerant species would be included in the plant mixture, the growing window may be extended well into October. Research Evaluation of cover crops in different cropping systems took place at the Dickinson Research Extension Center (REC), Hettinger REC, Carrington REC, as well as a site near Fargo ND. There were three, 2.5 acre fields available at Dickinson station and small plots at Hettinger, Carrington and Fargo. Cover crops were seeded into wheat in the spring of 2009 and 2010. An additional trial with micro plots was seeded in 2011. The objective was to seed a cover crop mixture into established spring wheat just after herbicide application. The second seeding of the cover crop mixture was targeted during the heading or early flowering of the wheat. This broadcast application would mimic seeding by airplane to avoid driving through a standing wheat field. The third cover crop mixture was targeted to be seeded just after the harvest of the wheat. The reason for trying seeding early season and at heading was to see if the cover could establish in the wheat crop and ready to use the sunlight after wheat harvest.

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At the end of the growing season biomass samples were taken to establish the amount of biomass produced. The samples were from above ground plant material only, and samples were oven dried before the weight was measured. During the first year at Dickinson large plots were used. At the other locations and subsequent years at Dickinson the plot size was about 5 x 25 feet, the standard small plot research dimensions. Table 1 provides the three cover crop mixtures applied throughout all the experiments at all locations. The first mixture consists mainly of legumes. The second mixture has mostly brassica species but also lentil and berseem clover. The third mixture is a proportional combination of mixture one and two. Table 1. Common name, genus and species, seeds/lb, recommended full seeding rate, companion rate, percent in mix and lbs in mixture of three cover crop mixes used in trials during 2010 and 2011.

Common Name Genus species

000'

s S

eeds

/lb

Ful

l S

eedi

ng

Rat

e lb

s/A

Com

pani

on

Rat

e lb

s/A

Per

cent

in

mix

ture

Lb

in

mix

ture

Mixture 1 Alfalfa, Non-dormant Medicago sativa 200 10 5 25% 1.25

Clover, Persian Trifolium resupinatum 1500 3 1.5 25% 0.38

Vetch, Common Vicia sativa 5 60 30 25% 7.5 Clover, Red Trifolium pratense 275 9 4.5 25% 1.13

Mixture 2 Lentil, Red or Green Lens culinaris 15 40 20 20% 4 Kale Brassica oleracea 165 5 2.5 20% 0.5 Turnip Brassica rapa 150 4 2 20% 0.4 Radish, Daikon Raphanus sativus 48 6 3 20% 0.75

Clover, Berseem Trifolium alexandrinum 210 10 5 20% 1

Mixture 3 Proportional of

1 and 2 Alfalfa, Non-dormant Medicago sativa 200 10 5 11% 0.55

Clover, Persian Trifolium resupinatum 1500 3 1.5 11% 0.17

Vetch, Common Vicia sativa 5 60 30 11% 3.3 Clover, Red Trifolium pratense 275 9 4.5 11% 0.5 Lentil, Red or Green Lens culinaris 15 40 20 11% 2.2 Kale Brassica oleracea 165 5 2.5 11% 0.28 Turnip Brassica rapa 150 4 2 11% 0.22 Radish, Daikon Raphanus sativus 48 6 3 11% 0.33

Clover, Berseem Trifolium alexandrinum 210 10 5 11% 0.55

Total 8.09

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Dickinson 2009 Hard red spring wheat (cv. Parshall) was no-till seeded into large plots (field pea = previous crop) using a 10-ft low-soil-disturbance commercial seeder at 1.2 million pure live seeds per acre on 14 May. Glyphosate was applied (1 pint/acre) on 11 May, prior to seeding wheat. An adequate wheat stand was observed. Bromoxynil at 1 pint/a along with Puma at 0.67 pint/a was applied for broadleaf and grass weed control, prior to seeding cover crop treatments (Table 1) on 9 June. Establishment of the cover crop mixtures was spotty and uneven, with seedlings in mixtures at various stages of emergence approximately 14-d after seeding. However, there appeared to be an adequate cover crop understory developing so that forage would be produced to support grazing livestock later in the season. This observation was no longer true by 21 July, shortly after heading of the wheat crop (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Hard red spring wheat stand on 21 July, 2009, in cover crop plot at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center.

Figure 2. Legume forage seedling planted on 9 June, 2009, into a hard red spring wheat over story, as growing on 21 July, 2009, at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center.

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Fig. 3. Hard red spring wheat over story in cover crops plot on 18 August, 2009, at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center.

Fig. 4. Under story in cover crops plot on 18 August, 2009, at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center. Plant stand of cover crop mixtures had declined to only a few individual seedlings/ft2 (Fig. 2), apparently because of interspecific competition with the wheat crop over story for growth resources. Lack of plant-available water may explain the decrease in cover crop populations during this period, although precipitation between 9 June and 21 July totaled 4.9 inches with significant amounts (≥0.30 inch) being received on 15 June (0.41 inch), 21 June (0.34 inch), 26 June (1.22 inch), 08 July (1.79 inch), and 13 July (0.63 inch). A second set of cover crop treatments were broadcast seeded over the wheat crop around the time of heading (Zadoks 59-60), resulting in the establishment of a few legume seedlings under the spring wheat over story by 18 August, along with annual weeds (Fig. 3 and 4).

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Fig. 5. Cover crop growth on 22 September, 2009, following the harvest of hard red spring wheat at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center. However, dry conditions developed and persisted from 14 July through 10 September, when a total of <2 inch of precipitation was received, with over half of that occurring on 10 September. By 22 September, plant growth in plots was sparse and dominated by weeds (Fig. 5). Forage production resulting from cover crop treatments appeared to be <200 lb/acre and so dry matter forage production was not determined. 2010 Cover crop treatments were established in small plots in 2010 in a field that was higher in natural fertility and had better water holding capacity than the field where cover crop treatments were established in 2009. Wheat was seeded on 28 April following the application of glyphosate on 21 April. Bromoxynil at 1.5 pint/a and Puma at 0.67 pint/a were applied for broadleaf and grass weed control on 9 June. Cover crop treatments were seeded using a low-soil-disturbance planter on 16 June. The second set of cover crop treatments were broadcast seeded into plots at wheat heading. Neither the set of cover crop treatments seeded in June nor July resulted in a cover crop understory when plots were visited in late July (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6. Weed under story in plot on 29 July, 2010, where a cover crop mixture was seeded on 16 June into hard red spring wheat seeded on 28 April at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center.

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Instead, a weed understory dominated by green foxtail was developing. A third set of cover crop treatments were seeded on 27 August following wheat harvest, with some plots seeded previously being reseeded at 2x the previous seeding rate for selected cover crop treatments. Establishment of cover crops resulting from this third treatment was very poor, with no evidence of cover crop plants in plots by late November. Lack of measureable cover crop dry matter prevented the collection of biomass and estimation of forage biomass production. 2011 In 2011 the same cover crop mixtures were planted after spring wheat harvest but this time in fallow ground in order to eliminate the completion with spring wheat. Planting took place at the Dickinson Research Extension Center in western North Dakota (Table 2). Table 2. Cover crop seeded into fallow directly following wheat harvest in adjacent plots in 2011 at Dickinson, North Dakota.

Treatment Plants Lb/ acre Cover crop1 no./ft2 biomass

Mix 1 8.2 162 Mix 2 9.5 1080 Mix 3 6.0 570

Mean 7.9 604 CV % 66 79 LSD 0.05 NS 598

1For details see Table 1. Impact Results of the field experiments at Dickinson were negative and presumably reflect unusual but unaccounted for factors that prevented the successful establishment of cover crops in or immediately following a spring wheat crop, and the production of forage that would support livestock grazing in the late-summer and fall period. The field experiments at Dickinson suggest that establishing cover crop mixtures in developing small-grain crops is more challenging than in eastern locations where success has been reported. Fargo 2010 Spring wheat The study was conducted in North West Cass County, North Dakota during the summer of 2010. ‘Glenn’ hard red spring wheat was planted on April 12 using the Great Plains no-till drill with seven rows at seven inch row spacing. The wheat was seeded on a five foot center and a length of twenty-five feet. Alleys were later cut at each end for a width of two and half feet. The total harvest plot area was five by twenty feet. Fifty pounds of Nitrogen was applied to the wheat on April 28 at the Haun stage of 1.7. A second application of Nitrogen was applied June 7th at the Haun 9.2 stage (boot swelling). The cover crop mixtures were planted at three different times throughout the season. Application one was done at the wheat 3-4 leaf stage, just after weed control (May 21). Application two was applied just after complete heading (June 16), and the final application was done after wheat harvest. After the wheat harvest volunteer wheat germinated and started to develop together with the cover crop species. Biomass samples were also taken from plots with only volunteer wheat. The total biomass at the end of the season in the cover crop plots consisted of part volunteer wheat and the cover crop species There was no significant difference in total biomass produced (Table 3) regardless of the time the cover crop was seeded. Volunteer wheat was the cheapest to establish (no seed cost) and had similar biomass

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yields compared with plots seeded with cover crops. The average biomass produced on tiled ground was 3501 lb per acre compared to 3288 lb per acre on un-tiled ground (Table 4). Table 3. Cover crop seeded into spring wheat. Date of seeding the legume Average biomass produced lbs/acre At four leaf stage of wheat 3195 a At heading of wheat 3237 a After harvest of wheat 3572 a No legume seeded, only wheat volunteers 3575 a Table 4. Cover crop seeded into spring wheat at NW 22, 2010. Drainage lb/acre

biomass % crude protein

% NDF % ADF % Ca % P % Ash

No-Tile 3288a 14.8a 45.7a 27.6a 0.8a 0.46a 14.3a Tile 3501a 16.6a 47.2a 29.1a 1.1a 0.44b 16.1a Cover crop1 Mix 1 3354a 16.1a 50.8a 31.0a 0.6bc 0.38a 13.6b Mix 2 3418a 15.7a 39.2b 24.6b 1.9a 0.49a 17.3a Mix 3 3231a 15.9a 42.8ab 26.4ab 1.1b 0.49a 15.2b Spring wheat volunteers 3575a 15.1a 53.1a 31.6a 0.4c 0.44a 14.5b 1Cover crop mixture 1. Non-dormant alfalfa, Persian clover, common vetch, and red clover. Crop mixture 2. Common lentil, kale, turnip, daikon radish and berseem clover. Crop mixture 3 a mix of the above two mixtures. For details see Table 1. 2Only means in same column should be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. Table 4 indicates that ther was no difference in biomass produced between the different cover crop mixtures. At the end of the season, at harvest of the biomass, the dominant species in the mixture was wheat. The samples were analyzed for protein, NDF, ADF, percent Ca, phosphorus and ash. The were significant differences in the NDF between the mixes. The mix with the brassica’s had a significantly lower NDF. Also differences in ADF, Ca and ash were found. Percent calcium was highest with the mixture 2. 2010 Winter Wheat In 2010 we also seeded the three crop mixtures into winter wheat stubble after harvest at Fargo ND. We took above ground biomass samples on October 8th. Samples were also taken from plots with only volunteer winter wheat. Winter wheat volunteers remained vegetative and relatively prostrate as winter wheat needs vernalization to change to the reproductive phase. Winter wheat volunteers remained relatively prostrate. The numbers in Tables 5 and 6 for the three mixtures is the combination of the seeded cover crop mixture species and the volunteer grain. The 1x and 2x rate both produced more biomass that the volunteer winter wheat (Table 5). Table 6 indicates that from winter wheat harvest to October, mixture 2 produced the most biomass in winter wheat stubble. The winter wheat volunteer plot had the lowest biomass produced. Therefore including a cover crop (mixture 2) produced 2073 more lb/a biomass compared to only volunteer winter wheat. The dominant species in all plots were kale, turnip, and daikon radish (see Fig. 10). The biomass can either be worked into the soil or used for animal feed (grazing). The percent crude protein was higher for the volunteer winter wheat compared to mixtures 2 and 3 (Table 6). The winter wheat NDF was higher than the NDF for mixture 3 but the Ca percent was higher in mixture 3 compared with the volunteer wheat. The ash percent was highest for mixture 3 (Table 6).

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Table 5. Cover crop seeded at two seeding rates into winter wheat at NW 22, 2010. Rate of Legume mixture1 lb/acre biomass Height at harvest in inch 1 x 4288a 8.1b 2 x 4753a 9.2a Volunteer grain 3239b 7.8b 1Based on rates described in Table 1. 1 x provided in Table 1 and double the rate is 2 x. 2Only means in same column should be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. Table 6. Cover crop seeded into winter wheat stubble directly following harvest at NW 22, 2010. Drainage lb/acre

biomass Height at harvest in inch

% crude protein

% NDF

% ADF

% Ca % P % Ash

No-Tile 4139a 8.4a 16.6a 33.5a 18.3b 1.6a 0.4a 15.1a Tile 4261a 8.5a 17.3a 35.1a 20.1a 1.2a 0.4a 13.9a Cover crop1 Mix 1 3850bc2 8.6a 18.2a 36.2ab 19.3ab 0.7c 0.4a 13.2c Mix 2 5312a 9.1a 15.3b 31.8ab 19.8ab 1.9b 0.4a 15.0b Mix 3 4400b 8.2a 15.6b 28.5b 17.3b 2.6a 0.4a 17.0a Winter wheat volunteers

3239c 7.8a 18.6a 40.8a 20.3a 0.3c 0.4a 12.7c

1Cover crop mixture 1. Non-dormant alfalfa, Persian clover, common vetch, and red clover. Crop mixture 2. Common lentil, kale, turnip, daikon radish and berseem clover. Crop mixture 3 a mix of the above two mixtures. For details see Table 1. 2Only means in same column should be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. If a producer wants to plant a crop of production winter wheat, it is essential that all small grain volunteers and grassy weeds be killed at least two weeks before planting in order to avoid a green bridge that will permit the movement of the wheat streak mosaic virus into the developing crop. In the spring wheat trial the volunteer wheat took over. Therefore in 2011 we decided to plant the cover crops not into stubble of spring wheat but in fallow ground to avoid competition with volunteer grain. In addition to the cover crops spring wheat was broadcasted and worked in to simulate “volunteer grain.” In a commercial field the volunteer wheat could be chemically killed with a burn down herbicide before the cover crop would emerge. However, this would add an expense to the production of the cover crop.

Figure 7. Mixture 3 at Fargo, ND. 2011.

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Table 7. Micro plots 2011 cover crop seeded after adjacent spring wheat was harvested, NW 22, Fargo, ND. Drainage Seeding rate lb/a lb/acre biomass No-Tile 4131a Tile 2205b Cover crop1 Mix 1 10.3 1740b2

Mix 2 6.7 3582ab Mix 3 8.1 4206a Spring wheat RB07 80 3144ab 1Cover crop mixture 1. Non-dormant alfalfa, Persian clover, common vetch, and red clover. Crop mixture 2. Common lentil, kale, turnip, daikon radish and berseem clover. Crop mixture 3 a mix of the above two mixtures. For details see Table 1. 2Only means in same column and drainage or cover crop should be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. The micro plots were seeded on tiled an un-tiled ground. There was very limited rainfall during the fall. The tiled ground started off drier than the un-tiled ground resulting a significantly lower biomass yield under the drier soil conditions. Mixture 3 was significantly better than mixture 1. As mixture 3 had the same species as mixture 1 but in addition also brassicas the difference between the two mixtures in biomass yield is attributed to the presence of the brassica species. We also had some larger plots with the three mixtures as well as spring wheat (Table 8). In that case mixture three was significantly higher yielding than the spring wheat simulated volunteer crop. Table 8. 2011 cover crop seeded after adjacent spring wheat was harvested, larger plots with sampling. NW 22, Fargo, ND. Seeding rate lb/a lb/acre biomass

Cover crop1 Mix 1 10.3 2845a2

Mix 2 6.7 2384ab Mix 3 8.1 3056a

Spring wheat RB07 80 998b 1Cover crop mixture 1. Non-dormant alfalfa, Persian clover, common vetch, and red clover. Crop mixture 2. Common lentil, kale, turnip, daikon radish and berseem clover. Crop mixture 3 a mix of the above two mixtures. For details see Table 1. 2Means column can be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. Hettinger 2009 The hard spring wheat variety ‘Barlow’ was seeded on May 6 and harvested on August 30, 2009. The legume mixtures were applied at three different timings. The first planting of the legumes took place about 30 days after planting the wheat on June 4. The second planting was done at the heading of wheat on July 6 and the last planting of the legumes took place just after the wheat harvest on August 31, however the treatments were seeded into dry soil. By August 5 the wheat started to mature and the cover crops in all plots had either died or show signs of severe moisture stress and wheat out-competed cover crops. A biomass sample from each plot (including wheat and cover crop) was taken on Aug 29 and expressed as fresh weight in lb/a (Table 9). On August 31 the other treatment timing plots had little cover crop growth but a fair amount of common mallow.

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There was no difference between the three cover crop mixtures in fresh weight biomass, nor in the first or second timing of the cover crop seeding. There was no cover crop for the third timing on August 29 as the seeding took place after the wheat harvest. As expected the wheat yield and test weight, between the different cover crop mixtures or timing of cover crop seeding, were not different. Biomass samples were taken at the end of the season in October. The seeding one month after the wheat had the highest biomass production (Table 9). Cover crop mixture 2 (753 lb/a) and mixture 3 (624 lb/a) when seeded one month after wheat, yielded significantly more cover biomass compared with any of the other treatment combinations (no data table presented).

Figure 8. Spring seeded cover crop into spring wheat, Hettinger, 2009. Table 9. Hettinger cover crop trial, 2009 Cover crop1 Wheat Yield Wheat Test

Weight Fresh weight Biomass lb/a (August 29)

Dry biomass lb/a (October 25)

bu/a lb/bu Mix 1 32.9a2 59.4a 7247a 150a Mix 2 34.2a 59.4a 6024a 286a Mix 3 33.3a 59.3a 6480a 253a Timing 1, June 4 34.8a 58.9b 10242a 526a Timing 2, July 6 33.3a 59.6a 9499a 155b Timing 3, Aug 31 32.3a 59.6a -- 8b 1 For details see Table 1. 2Only means in same column and mix or timing should be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. 2010 The hard spring wheat variety ‘Barlow’ was seeded on April 19 and harvested on August 10, 2010. The legume mixtures were applied at three different timing. The first planting of the legumes took place at the heading of wheat on June 25 and the second planting of the legumes took place just after the wheat harvest on August 11 at the 1x (Timing 2) and 2x rate (Timing 3). Drilling cover crop seed is more effective than broadcasting seed on soil surface. Broadcast seed from timing 1 that was covered with

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chaff row had good seedling emergence. The lentil component of the cover crop mixture that was broadcasted on the soil surface sprouted and germinated. The brassicas in the mixture did not germinate well after broadcasting the mixture. As expected the wheat yield, test weight, and wheat protein between the different cover crop mixtures or timing of cover crop seeding, were not different

Figure 9. Cover crop seeded after hard red spring wheat harvest. Hettinger, late fall 2010. Carrington 2010 At Carrington the cover crop mixtures were seeded after the wheat was established (one month after planting), broadcasted at heading and drilled after the wheat harvest. Just before harvest the wheat canopy had opened up and although cover crop seed broadcasted at heading had reasonably germination, not all plants survived. Table 10. Carrington cover crop trial, 2010. Cover crop1 Dry biomass in October lbs/acre Mix 1 450c2

Mix 2 4717a Mix 3 2483b Timing Timing 13 3354a Timing 2 2675ab Timing 3 1621b 1For details see Table 1. 2Only means in same column for mix or timing should be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. 3Timing 1 = drilled just after emergence of the wheat, 2 = broadcast at heading of wheat, 3 = drilled just after wheat harvest.

More cover crop plants survived when drilled one month after planting compared with broadcasted seed at heading. The early seeded cover crop yielded significantly more biomass compared with seeding just after harvest. Mixture 2 produced the highest biomass yield (Table 10). Seeding one month after wheat and using mixture 2 provided 5795 lb/a dry biomass at the end of the season (Table 11).

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Table 11. Carrington cover crop trial, 2010. Timing1 Cover crop2 Dry biomass lb/a October Timing 13 Mix 1 598d3

Timing 1 Mix 2 5795a Timing 1 Mix 3 3670abc Timing 2 Mix 1 484d Timing 2 Mix 2 5208ab Timing 2 Mix 3 2334cd Timing 3 Mix 1 269d Timing 3 Mix 2 3150bc Timing 3 Mix 3 1446cd 3Timing 1 = drilled just after emergence of the wheat, 2 = broadcast at heading of wheat, 3 = drilled just after wheat harvest. 2Cover crop mixture 1. Non-dormant alfalfa, Persian clover, common vetch, and red clover. Crop mixture 2. Common lentil, kale, turnip, daikon radish and berseem clover. Crop mixture 3 a mix of the above two mixtures. 3Any means in column timing x cover crop mix can be compared. If letter behind means is similar, there is no significant difference at P≤0.10. Conclusions Based on the data from all the experiments the legume mix (mixture 1) would not be recommended. The legumes take more time to establish and are more sensitive to competition when the legume plants are still very small. The kale, turnip, radish components in the mix were the best cover crops in the established mixtures. When seeding into a spring wheat field, the volunteer grain may become the dominant species in the mix. Under dry conditions the establishment of cover crops can be a challenge. Planting cover crops in western North Dakota (Dickinson and Hettinger) is more risky than at Carrington or Fargo mostly related to the amount of moisture received during the establishment and growth of the cover crop. Overall seeding early in the season or broadcasting at heading did not work as well as seeding after harvesting wheat. The exception is the data from Carrington which indicated that early establishment could work if adequate and timely rainfall in obtained. The key to success is timely rainfall and soil moisture availability after seeding the cover crop. RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

1. Annual cover crops for hay at Carrington and Fargo, North Dakota

Authors: Steve Zwinger, Carrington REC, Marisol Berti, North Dakota State University Cool-season annual forages Several cultivars of forage barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), triticale (x Triticosecale Witt.), spelt (Triticum spelta), winter rye (Secale cereale L.) and mixtures with pea (Pisum sativum L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.), were planted at Fargo, and Carrington ND, in 2012. Dry matter yield fluctuated 0.92-2.01 tons/acre. The highest dry matter yield at Fargo was for forage barley and forage triticale. At Carrington forage yield fluctuated between 1.5 and 3.9 otns/acre, highest forage yield was winter triticale, Shiveree 186 (Table 12). Both location had less than normal rainfall in 2012.

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Table 12. Cool-season annual cover crops forage yield at Fargo, ND, in 2012.

Crop Cultivar Fargo Carrington

---------------------tons/acre--------------------- Forage triticale Trical 141 1.95 -

Triticale/pea Trical 141 + Flex 1.67 -

Forage triticale Trical 141 + Arvika 1.78 -

Oat/pea Kona/Arvika 1.47 -

Oat/pea E126/Arvika 1.30 -

Forage pea Arvika 1.19 1.53

Forage triticale Trical 2700 1.33 -

Oat/pea Kona/flex 1.51 -

Forage barley Rockford 2.01 -

Barley/pea Haybet/Arvika 1.49 -

Barley/pea Haybet/Flex 1.42 -

Forage barley Haybet 1.63 -

Forage pea Flex 1.40 1.45

Forage barley Hayes 0.92 -

Forage oat HiFi 1.38 -

Forage oat E126 1.30 -

Forage oat + pea Kona+ /Flex 0.93 -

Forage oat +pea E126/Arvika 1.05 -

Pea Flex 1.46 -

Hairy vetch CREC 3.09 Hairy vetch Mittleider 2.84 Hairy vetch Podoll 2.71 Pea Admiral 2.02

Winter triticale Brisk - 3.62

Winter triticale Fridge - 3.58

Winter triticale Shiveree 185 - 2.58 Winter triticale Shiveree 186 - 3.88 Winter triticale Childeric - 3.40

Winter wheat Elkhorn/Jerry - 2.60

Spelt Frank - 3.20

Winter triticale Frostat/Boreal - 2.50

Winter rye Musketeer/Rymin - 2.50

LSD (0.05) 0.63 NS

2. Cover crops as a source of nutrients for bioenergy crops and forage for fall grazing. Authors: Marisol Berti, Robert Nudell, Dulan Samarappuli, and Kevin Sedivec

Cover crops in cropping systems The increasing cost of energy and limited oil and gas reserves has increased the need to develop alternative fuels from renewable sources. Ethanol is one such renewable fuel that has gained interest

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although current ethanol production from sugar and starch is under intense debate since it may contribute to the increase in global food prices. Alternatively, lignocellulosic biomass has been identified as the future choice of feedstock for ethanol production. Although currently there is a growing interest on forage crops as a potential source of biomass, more focus should be on cropping systems including annual cover crops as potential lignocellulosic feedstock. A study was conducted to identify the agronomic and forage potential of seven cover crop treatments (3 legume, 3 brassica, and 1 non-cover-crop check) on three different annual biomass crops used as a source of lignocellulosic feedstock for bioenergy production. The experiment was conducted at Fargo and Prosper located in eastern North Dakota from 2010 to 2012. Six cover crop species were planted on 8 to 9 August in 2010 and 2011 following oat. Five biomass/forage crops were planted after the cover crops in the spring of each successive year and compared with a check without cover crop. All forage crops were fertilized with 50 kg N/ha at about V8 stage both seasons. Results across locations and years indicated the cover crop forage pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Arvika) produced the highest biomass dry matter yield (3.48 Mg/ha) in the fall before the killing frost (Table 13). The legume cover crops had the highest crude protein content and ranged between 23 and 25.2 % while radishes and turnips ranged between 14.1 and 15.6 %. Forage pea N uptake was 127 kg N/ha and significantly higher than all other cover crops. Nitrogen uptake from turnip and radishes fluctuated between 69 and 76 kg N/ha which we assumed was part of the residual N left in the soil after the cereal crop. If we subtract the N uptake radish and turnip crops to the total N uptake from forage peas we can estimate the biological dinitrogen fixation of peas. Forage pea biological dinitrogen fixation was about 60 kg of N/ha in only 40 days growth in the fall. Table 13. Biomass yield, crude protein (CP), and nitrogen uptake of cover crops, means across locations and years, Fargo and Prosper, ND, in 2010 and 2011. Cover crop Biomass yield CP Nitrogen uptake

------Mg/ha------ ---% dry matter-- ----kg/ha--- Forage pea 3.48 23.0 127 Austrian winter pea 2.98 24.0 87 Hairy vetch 2.44 25.2 88 Forage turnip (Pasja) 3.16 14.1 69 Purple top turnip 3.15 15.6 68 Forage radish (Daikon) 3.78 14.1 76 LSD (0.05) 0.8 3.6 36 CV, % 29.6 13.8 37 The annual dedicated energy crops corn sweet sorghum, and forage sorghum biomass yield were 2 to 7 Mg/ha higher than the check when following a legume cover crop. Corn, sweet sorghum, and forage sorghum biomass yield increased 0.8, 6.6, and 4.5 Mg/ha, respectively, following forage peas compared with the check treatment with no cover crop. Sweet and forage sorghum produced higher biomass yield than corn (Fig. 10, 11). Forage oat and forage barley biomass yield increased 2 Mg/ha and 1.7 Mg/ha when following forage peas compared to the check treatment with no cover crop and 50 kg N/ha from fertilizer. Biomass yield of sweet sorghum increased following the forage radish, cv. Daikon. It is presumed that the remobilization of nutrients from deep in the soil and increased water infiltration might account for this effect. The shallow rooted leaf turnip x radish hybrid (Pasja) and Purple top turnips did not increase

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forage crops biomass yield significantly

Fig. 10 Forage radish after two months of growth in the fall of 2011in Prosper, ND.

Fig 11. Biomass yield of forage crops following 5 different cover crops and a check with no cover crop treatment. Data across two locations, Fargo and Prosper, ND, and two years 2011 and 2012. Nitrogen uptake was significantly higher in all forage crops when following legume cover crops compared with the check with only 50 kg N/ha from fertilizer (Fig. 13). Crops following forage peas had the greatest N uptake. It can be concluded then that the higher biomass yield of crops following forage peas is was probably due to the additional N provided by the legume.

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Fig. 12. Holes where forage radish root was in the fall season, improving infiltration and reducing soil compaction.

Fig.13 Nitrogen uptake of four forage crops following 5 different cover crops and a check with no cover crop treatment, data across two locations Fargo and Prosper and two years 2011 and 2012.

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3. Forage Brassicas Potential As Supplemental Forage For Grazing In North Dakota Marisol Berti and Osvaldo Teuber, North Dakota State University

Forage brassicas have been used in different areas around the world, especially in northern part of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America (USA and Canada), for several centuries. These forage species have been used as supplemental forage due to their tolerance to low temperature, forage availability in the fall and winter when most traditional forage grasses and legumes are not available or have low quality to animals, high quality for animal feed included, and the possibility to extend the grazing season for livestock operations, reducing the operational cost to farmers and improving the profitability of the operation. In the United States, brassicas were used in the late 19th century and early 20th century, but thereafter were abandoned due to the high cost to produce them. In the 70´s and 80´s the interest to produce brassicas (as forage and cover crops) was renewed. The research was important in some regions of the US, but not in others such as the Northern Plains. In North Dakota, some forage brassicas such as radishes and turnips are used as cover crops after cereal crops, but usually in mixture with other cover crops. In 2010, the estimated acreage planted to forage brassicas was approximately, 120,000 acres (calculated by estimating the seed sales). North Dakota growers could extend the grazing season with forage and cover crops of brassicas species reducing their costs, improving profitability of farming operations by providing high quality feed for late-season use. As well those growers that do not have cattle in their farming system can benefit of using forage brassica as cover crops to improve soil health by reducing soil erosion, increasing water infiltration, reducing soil compaction, suppressing weed seeds germination, and some potential pests in the soil. In addition, they will have alternative crops to introduce in their cropping system, reducing the negative effects of short rotations. The objectives of this study was i) to evaluate different cultivars of brassicas species as full-season forages and as cover crops in different environments in North Dakota; and ii) to determine their adaptability, yield potential, and nutritional quality for animal production.

The experiment had six brassica species such as kale (Brassica oleracea L.), swede or rutabaga [Brassica napus var napobrassica (L.) Mill], Ethiopian cabbage (Brassica spp), turnip (Brassica napus), winter canola (Brassica napus), winter camelina (Camelina sativa L.), and several cultivars of each one of the crops. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD), with three replicates. The plots had 8 rows spaced at 6 inches and were 20 ft in length. Seeding date was 25 and 26 April 2012 at Fargo and Carrington, respectively. Kale and swedes were harvested with a flail forage harvester only once, while forage rape, winter canola, and Ethiopian cabbage were harvested twice. Forage brassicas were also planted in 12 August to determine their potential as cover crops additional of the abovementioned species turnips and radishes were added to the experiment (Table 15). Preliminary results for 2012 indicate, forage brassica hybrids and forage rape had the highest biomass yield, in spite of the drought occurred in 2012 at Fargo (Table 14). Carrington lighter soil texture had less water retention under drought conditions than Fargo clay soils. This might explain the lower biomass yield of all brassicas except for one kale cultivar. The ‘Maris Kestrel’ kale had the greatest biomass yield at locations, 4.8 and 5.1 tons/acre at Carrington and Fargo, respectively. The ‘Barsica’ forage rape had a biomass yield of 6.2 ton/acre at Fargo. We were surprised to see that some of forage brassica yields were higher than those for seasonal alfalfa yield in plots adjacent to the forage brassicas. These are preliminary results, but are a first indication of the potential of forage brassicas in North Dakota. They sure look very promising for our region. The cover crops biomass yield at Prosper was low due to the drought that affected the area. Despite of the little moisture, brassicas were established and yields fluctuated between 306 and 1188 lbs/acre (Table 15). On years with more moisture available yields usually are greater than 2000 lbs/acre providing and excellent grazing resource in the fall.

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Table 14. Forage brassica dry matter biomass yield at Fargo and Carrington, ND, in 2012.

Carrington‡ Fargo Combined

Species Cultivar tons/acre§

Kale† Siberian 1.5 3.6 2.6

Kale Maris Kestrel 4.8 5.1 5.0

Kale Dwarf Blue Vates 2.7 3.9 3.3

Swede Major Plus 3.3 5.0 4.2

Swede American Purple Top 2.6 4.4 3.5

Hybrid Winfred 2.9 5.7 4.3

Hybrid Pacer 2.7 5.2 4.0

Forage rape Rangi 2.5 5.6 4.0

Forage rape Barsica 2.6 6.2 4.4

Forage rape Dwarf Essex 2.2 4.7 3.5

Forage rape Bonar 2.3 5.8 4.1

Winter canola Riley 2.6 4.6 3.6

Winter canola Griffin 2.3 4.8 3.5

Winter canola Athena 2.3 4.4 3.3

Winter canola Summer 2.1 4.4 3.3

Winter camelina Joelle 0.7 1.2 1.0

Ethiopian Cabbage Ethiopian Cabbage 2.8 2.4 2.6

LSD (0.05) 0.8 1.5 1.6

CV, % 21 19.4 20 †Kale, and swedes were harvested once. Forage rape, winter canola, Ethiopian cabbage, and winter camelina were harvested twice. ‡Seeding date 25 and 26 April Fargo and Carrington. §Harvest dates 18 and 10 July and 16 and 20 October in Fargo and Carrington.

Fig. 14. Swede plant growth in the plant density study in Fargo 12 Nov. 2012.

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Table.15 Forage yield of brassica cover crops seeded after a forage oat crop in Prosper, ND, in 2012.

Cover crop Cultivar Biomass yield

lbs/acre Hybrid Hunter 899 Hybrid Vivant 913 Hybrid Winfred 438 Hybrid T-Raptor 1089 Hybrid Pasja 815 Forage Rape Barnapoli 306 Forage Rape Dwarf Essex 616 Ethiopian Cabbage Corine 357 Turnip Rack 458 Turnip Barkant 1188 Turnip Appin 855 Turnip Pointer 1000 Radish Graza 971 Turnip Purple Top 729 Radish Groundhog 931 Radish Daikon 1101 LSD (0.05) 581 Seeding date 13 August 2012 Harvest date 1 November 2012 Forage brassicas seeding date study Forage yield of four forage brassica crops in three seeding dates was evaluated in Fargo and Prosper, ND, 2012. The experimental design was an RCBD with a split-plot arrangement and three replicates. The main plots were the seeding date and the sub-plot was the crop. The seeding dates were targeted to 1 May, 15 May and 30 May. The crops were: turnip ‘Purple Top’, Kale ‘Maris Kestrel’, Swede ‘Major Plus’ and winter canola ‘Riley’. First year’s results indicate an earlier seeding date increased forage yield in all crops in Fargo and only in kale and swede in Prosper ( Table 16). Kale and swede had the highest forage yield at both locations when seeded 2 May in Fargo and 25 April in Prosper. These results are very interesting because only a 2-week delay in seeding date could reduce the forage yield in 1 or 2 tons/acre in kales and swedes. Brassica crops prefer cooler weather to grow and also at the beginning of the season they have more moisture available.

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Table 16. Forage yield of four forage brassicas sown in three different seeding dates in Fargo and Prosper, ND, in 2012.

Fargo† Prosper

Date Turnip Kale Swede Winter canola Mean Turnip Kale Swede

Winter canola Mean

-------------------------------------------------------tons/acre------------------------------------------------------ Date 1 2 4.7 4.8 1.4 3.2 2.1 2.7 3.8 0.7 2.3 Date 2 1 3.2 2.6 2 2.2 1.7 2.3 2.1 0.7 1.7 Date 3 1.3 2.7 2.9 1.7 2.2 2 1.3 2.1 0.6 1.5 Mean 1.4 3.5 3.4 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.6 0.7 LSD (0.05) date 0.4 NS LSD (0.05) crop 0.5 0.5 LSD (0.05) crop x date ** NS

Seeding dates: Fargo, D1=2 May, D2= 15 May, D3 =30 May; Prosper D1= 25 April, D2= 9 May D3=30 May. Forage brassicas plant density study The response to plant density was studied in three brassica forage crops in 2012 at two locations. The crops kale ‘Maris Kestrel, swede ‘Major Plus’, and forage rape ‘Dwarf Essex’ were evaluated at five plant densities of 33, 44, 66, 133, and > 200 plants/m2 in Fargo and Prosper, ND, in 2012. The experimental design was an RCBD with a split-plot design. The crop was in the main plot and the plant density in the subplot with 3 replicates. Forage yield of leaves and roots was different among crops. Kales and swedes were much higher yielding than forage rapes regardless the plant density. Plant density did not affect forage yield signinificantly.in any of the crops, this indicates plants increase their yield per plant at lower densities (Table 17). Table 17. Total forage yield of three forage brassicas, kale, swede, and forage rape planted at five plant densities in two locations Fargo and Prosper, ND, in 2012.

Fargo† Prosper

Plant density Kale Swede Forage rape Mean Kale Swede Forage rape Mean

plants/m2 --------------------------------------------tons/acre‡------------------------------------------------33 4.6 5.4 3.0 4.4 2.3 2.5 1.0 1.944 4.7 4.0 2.0 3.6 2.9 2.0 1.0 2.066 5.0 3.5 2.5 3.6 2.8 2.6 1.0 2.1133 4.9 3.3 2.1 3.4 3.2 2.2 0.9 2.1

>200 4.9 5.5 2.9 4.4 2.9 2.8 1.3 2.3 Mean 4.8 4.3 2.5 2.8 2.4 1.0 LSD 0.05 crop 1.3 0.4 LSD 0.05 density NS NS LSD (0.05) crop x density NS NS †Seeding date 25 April in Fargo, 2 May in Prosper. ‡Harvest date 11 and 25 October in Fargo and Prosper.

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Forage brassicas fertility study A nitrogen and sulfur experiment was established in Fargo and Prosper in 2012. The Fargo experiment had poor stand establishment so although yield data was taken, no significant differences were observed and data is not shown. The experiment was an RCBD with a split-plot arrangement and three replicates. The main plot was the crop and the sub-plot was a factorial arrangement of four rates of N (0, 75, 150, 25, and 300 kg N/ha) and two rates of sulfur (0 and 40 kg N/ha). The experiment in Prosper had better stand and significant differences in forage yield were observed between the two crops, swede and kale, and for the N and S main effects. Swede and kale average yield across N and S treatments were 4.1 and 2.5 tons/acre, respectively. The addition of 40 kg S/ha also increased forage yield in both crops. Forage yield in swede increased from 3.8 to 4.5 tons/acre and in kale forage yield increased from 2.4 to 2.6 tons/acre. Both crops yield increased as nitrogen rate increased (Fig 15). Maximum yield in both crops was obtained with 225 kg N/ha. This indicates brassicas forage crops have high N requirement.

  Fig. 15. Forage yield response of swede and kale to nitrogen and sulfur fertilization in Propser, ND, in 2012.  Double- and relay- cropping systems for oil and biomass feedstock production in North Central region

Authors: Marisol Berti1, Alfredo Aponte1, Robert Nudell1, Burton Johnson1, Russ Gesch2, Yun Ji3, and Wayne Seames3 1Dept. of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, 2North Central Soil Conservation Research Lab, ARS-USDA-Morris, MN 3Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Univ. of North Dakota Short life cycle, high seed oil content winter-annual species like camelina (Camelina sativa L.), grows exceptionally well in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. Recent findings indicate that camelina,

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especially when grown as a winter annual, matures early enough to allow double- or relay-cropping with forage crops such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Additionally, double-cropping reduces the pressure on food production resulting from the introduction of energy crops while providing certain environmental benefits such as minimizing soil erosion, lengthening the growing season, and taking up excess soil N and moisture. Forage sorghum is an energy-efficient annual forage crop candidate that can produce high yield under droughty conditions and has low production inputs. The objective of this project was to determine the biomass-oil yield of double- and relay-cropping sequences in the North Central Region. Winter camelina, cv. Joelle, was planted at Prosper and Carrington, ND, and Morris, MN, on 29 August, 1 September, and 14 September, 2011, respectively (Fig. 16). The experiment was a RCBD with a split-plot arrangement, where the main plot was winter camelina or fallow, and the sub-plot , forage sorghum, soybean (Glycine max L.), and corn (Zea mays L.). Relay seeding was performed in late April/early May with corn and soybean and by 15 May with forage sorghum. Double-cropping with sorghum or soybean followed camelina harvest at the end of June (Table 18). Germination, emergence, and winter survival of camelina was successful at all sites. Camelina seed yield fluctuated between 1295 and 1885 kg ha-1 at Prosper, 713 and 1069 kg ha-1 at Carrington and 217 and 374 kg ha-1 at Morris (data not shown). There was no significant difference in camelina seed yield when a relay crop was in place, whether the relay crop was corn, soybean, or forage sorghum (Table 19). This indicates that seeding a relay crop did not cause damage to the camelina plants nor enough competition to reduce seed yield. The relay crops were seeded earlier than their double cropped counterparts resulting in higher biomass and grain yield. Biomass and grain yield were expected to be greater with relay cropping since crop development occurred earlier in the season when temperatures were cooler and precipitation was greater as compared to growth conditions from later seeding for double cropping. The lowest biomass and grain yield was for the double crops planted after camelina harvest (Table 20, 21). Winter camelina and forage sorghum in relay- or double- cropping is an alternative system with potential for bioenergy feedstock production in North Dakota.

Fig. 16. Double and relay cropping systems after winter camelina cover crop in Prosper, ND 2012.

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Table 18. Double and relay cropping systems treatments. Summer annual 2011-previous crops

Main plot, crops seeded in fall 2011

Sub-plots, crops seeded in spring 2012

Relay-cropping Double-cropping

Cereal† W. camelina Forage sorghum yes no

Cereal W. camelina Forage sorghum no yes

Cereal W. camelina Soybean yes no Cereal W. camelina Soybean no yes

Cereal none Forage sorghum Normal seeding date Cereal none Corn Normal seeding date

Cereal none Soybean Normal seeding date †Cereal pertains to cool-season cereals commonly grown in the region such as hard red spring wheat, durum, barley, and oats.

Table 19. Seed and biomass yield of winter camelina cover crop harvested in June at Prosper and Carrington, ND, in 2012, data combined across locations. Cropping treatment Seed yield Biomass yield

kg/ha Mg/ha

†DC-soybean 1713 6.05 DC-sorghum 1750 6.13 ‡Relay-soybean 1785 6.21 Relay-sorghum 1295 4.95

Relay-corn 1885 6.42 LSD (0.05) NS NS CV, % 16.7 18.1 †DC denotes double-cropping where the second crop is sown immediately after camelina harvest. ‡Relay denotes relay-cropping where the second or summer annual crop is inter-seeded into the camelina early in the spring. Table 20. Biomass and seed yield of soybean, sorghum and corn following winter camelina as a double or relay crop, combined across two locations in Prosper and Carrington, ND, in 2012. Biomass yield Seed yield

Mg ha-1 kg ha-1

DC-soybean‡ 2.0 301 DC-sorghum 4.0 - Relay-soybean 4.3 764 Relay-sorghum 10.6 - Relay-corn 0.74 0 NSD-corn 16.2 2276 RSD-corn 15.9 2277 NSD-sorghum 25.6 - DSD-sorghum 15.7 - NSD- soybean 10.9 4021 (59 bu/a) DSD-soybean 5.4 851 LSD (0.05) 9.8 1088 CV, % 29.1 27.5 †Values are the means of four replicates. ‡ DC denotes double-cropping where the second crop is sown immediately after camelina harvest. RSD: denotes crop seeded in fallow ground at the time of the relay seeding. NSD= Normal seeding date, crop

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seeded in fallow ground at a normal seeding date. DSD= Crop seeded after camelina harvest on fallow ground. Relay= denotes relay-cropping where the second or summer annual crop is inter-seeded into the camelina early in the spring. Table 21. Biomass and seed yield of corn, soybean, (maturity groups MG1.3 and MG0.0) and forage sorghum as double or relay-crops after winter camelina. In Morris , MN in 2012 Biomass yield Seed yield Mg ha-1 kg ha-1 DC-Sorghum 10.8 - Relay-Soybean - 2002 (29.8 bu/a) Relay-Sorghum 16.2 - Relay-Corn 9.0 0 NSD-Corn 23.5 11,460 (204 bu/a) NSD-sorghum 26.1 - DSD-sorghum 15.9 - NSD- soybean (1.3 MG) - 3692 (54.9 bu/a) NSD-soybean (00 MG) - 2596 (38.6 bu/a)

LSD (0.05) 2.4 3148 †Values are the means of four replicates. ‡ DC denotes double-cropping where the second crop is sown immediately after camelina harvest. RSD: denotes crop seeded in fallow ground at the time of the relay seeding. NSD= Normal seeding date, crop seeded in fallow ground at a normal seeding date. DSD= Crop seeded after camelina harvest on fallow ground. Relay= denotes relay-cropping where the second or summer annual crop is inter-seeded into the camelina early in the spring. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS In summary, all studies indicate that using of cover crop legumes provide additional nitrogen to the following crop increasing its biomass yield and N uptake and providing soil cover during the fall and winter months, however these results are only applicable to eastern North Dakota where rainfall is greater than 20 inches/season. Also forage brassicas cover crops provide an excellent grazing supplement in the fall of the year. Although results indicated in this report support the use of cover crops in North Dakota it is very important to emphasize that most of the results here presented are from locations East of the Missouri river and mainly in the Red River Valley. The use of cover crops is a riskier practice as one moves West in North Dakota because of the failure of the cover crops to establish and grow due to the lack of moisture following the cereal crop. Therefore, data generated in the Red River Valley or east of the Missouri River may not be transferrable, even following significant modification, to western North Dakota. PUBLICATIONS (list within each category) Abstracts/ Presentations 1. Berti, M.T., A. Aponte, R. Nudell, B.L. Johnson, R. Gesch, Y. Ji, and W. Seames. 2012. Winter

camelina and forage sorghum relay-and double-cropping for oil and biomass feedstock production in the North Central Region. p. 47. In McMahan, C.M. and M.T. Berti, (eds.), 24th Annual AAIC Meeting-2012 Developing Sustainable Solutions: Program and Abstracts 12-15 November 2012, Sonoma, CA.

2. Samarappuli, D., M.T. Berti. 2012. Cover crops impact on energy crops productivity in North Dakota. p. 46. In McMahan, C.M. and M.T. Berti, (eds.), 24th Annual AAIC Meeting-2012 Developing Sustainable Solutions: Program and Abstracts 12-15 November 2012, Sonoma, CA.

3. Berti, M.T. 2012. Optimizing forage and biomass crop production. Risk Management Research Summit, 2012, Meeting. 7-8 November, 2012, Rochester, MN. Midwest Forage Association, St. Paul, MN.

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4. Samarappuli, D., and M.T. Berti. 2012 Advantages of Using Cover crops before Annual Forage Crops. Risk Management Research Summit, 2012, Meeting. 7-8 November, 2012, Rochester, MN. Midwest Forage Association, St. Paul, MN.

5. Berti, M.T. Cropping systems for biomass feedstock production in the North Central Region, USA. Visiting scientist presentation. 28 June, University of Bologna, Italy.

6. Berti, M.T., D. Samarappuli, R. Nudell, B.L. Johnson. 2012. Cropping systems for biomass feedstock production in the North Central Region, USA. 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. 18-22 June, 2012, Milan, Italy.

7. Berti, M.T., H. Kandel, P. Carr, and S. Zwinger. 2012. Cover crops: North Dakota report. Midwest Cover Crop Council Annual Meeting, 28-29 Feb. West Lafayette, IN.

Proceedings publications Berti, M.T., D. Samarappuli, R. Nudell, B.L. Johnson. 2012. Cropping systems for biomass feedstock production in the North Central Region, USA. p. 474-479 In 20 th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. 18-22 June, 2012, Milan, Italy. Available at http://www.etaflorence.it/proceedings/index.asp (verified 10 August 2012).

Journal articles Extension publications

Berti, M.T. Forage sorghum yield trials 2013. Forage Clippings, MFA, February 2013. Available at : Berti, M.T., and O. Teuber, 2013. Forage brassicas potential as supplemental forage for grazing In North Dakota. Forage Focus, March 2013. Kandel, H., and J. Ransom. 2012. Volunteer Crops for Emergency Feed. Crop and Pest Report, August 1, No. 14. North Dakota State University Extension Service, Fargo, ND. Kandel, H. 2012. Cover Crops After Wheat. Crop and Pest Report, July 19, No. 13:6-7. North Dakota State University Extension Service, Fargo, ND.

Grants SBARE –New and Emerging Crops (03/2013-03/2014) PI: Marisol Berti, Project name: Forage brassicas as new crops for North Dakota USDA/NIFA-SUNGRANT Initiative (2011-2013) PI: Marisol Berti Project name: Double- and relay- cropping systems for oil and biomass feedstocks production in North Dakota. IMPACT STATEMENT (no more than 4 sentences) Cover crops will impact North Dakota’s economy by improving soil health, nutrient cycling, productivity of grain and energy crops, reducing expensive nitrogen inputs, and as a source of supplemental summer and fall forage.