Cover Crop Research Project

Cover crops are now recognized as an important component of sustainable production as farmers seek to improve soil quality and reduce chemical inputs. Research and grower experience have shown that cover crops can provide multiple benefits related to soil protection, soil fertility, ground water quality and pest management.

Cover crops are an economic and environmentally sound alternative to improve soil fertility, particularly when animals are not raised on the farm and therefore manure is only available as an often costly off-farm product. Selecting a cover crop that is well adapted to local conditions and cropping systems is critical to successful cover cropping, yet very little research and grower experience exists in our region to enable farmers to make an informed choice of cover crop.

Having recognized this need, Kootenay Organic Growers Society successfully sought funding from COABC through the Organic Sector Development Program of the Agri-Food Futures Fund in order to conduct a cover crop research trial. This on-farm research program is headed up by local cover crop specialist and farmer, Oscar Somasco, and began in the spring of 2003.

This project is already familiarizing growers with the benefits of cover crops and giving some indication about which varieties will perform best in our conditions. In addition, their potential risks are being identified to improve management practices. The July 2003 field day at one of the test sites was an exciting and well attended event which involved not only analysis of different seed mixes and nitrogen availability but also a mowing demonstration of hairy vetch. Additional test plots will be planted this autumn to determine which cover crops can over-winter in the Kootenays. It is expected that the outcome of this year long project will be increased expertise among KOGS members to select appropriate cover crops for their conditions, soil and crop needs and to grow them successfully.

Field Day 2003 photos:

Bell (Fava) Bean, Field Pea, Vetch and Oat blend plot.

Oscar explaining seed mixes and plots

Oat & sweet clover mix

Farmers examining clover plot

Vetch mowing demonstration