Strip-Till for the Win
A big part of Opey’s success comes from his decision to strip-till. “The strips allow you to farm around the cover crop,” he explains. “You get the best benefits from it, but yet have a seedbed to plant.” Strip-tilling into young cover crops allows him to let the crop grow longer into the spring, capturing the full biological benefit before terminating.
The Payoff
The results speak for themselves. Opey says he’s seen major improvements in weed suppression, residue breakdown, and nutrient and carbon retention. He vertical tills cover crops into the top few inches of soil to jumpstart microbial activity. “The combination works very well,” he says. “Your biggest return is in the spring, in March and April, when your biology and your soil is active ahead of your cash crop.”
Tips for Newcomers
If you’re just starting out with cover crops, Opey suggests finding a process that works on your acres, and fine-tuning it as needed for each field. “Take a field and try wheat or barley spread in the fall ahead of corn, vertical till it in, and when it’s 2 or 3 inches tall, put your strips in and let it grow,” he says.
He estimates his process costs around $30 per acre and often works with programs to offset those costs. “Look at your assets and decide on a plan that works for your farm first before looking at programs, not vice versa,” he encourages.
Trusted Support
Who does Opey turn to for advice? “Laura Lant with Midwest Grass and Forage has been a great tool for me. And having an agronomist who is very good and knowledgeable in cover crops is huge,” he says.
