Legumes still can provide valuable N to today’s cropping systems. Legumes also contribute a non-nitrogen rotation effect due to addition of soil organic matter and improvement in soil health. Corn grown following alfalfa stands that are 2+ years old (and contained at least 50% alfalfa) require no nitrogen fertilizer on many soils. Red clover N credits are less than for alfalfa.

A fall-planted cereal rye, wheat, or triticale cover crop can have both positive and negative impacts, for example by tying up nitrogen, reducing soil moisture prior to planting, increasing insect pressure, reducing weed pressure, reducing soil erosion and allelopathy. These tips from the University of Nebraska will share tradeoffs to help you better assess cover crop termination timing for your operation and risk level. 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created uncertainty in global grain exports. This uncertainty has and likely will continue to result in short-term opportunity for US corn exports. This article conducts scenario analysis around US corn prices, examining plausible “what-if” events and predicting possible outcomes. Scenario analysis can provide a better understanding of upside opportunities as well as downside risks. A better understanding of the potential outcomes of these events can help in planning and managing should they occur.