Update! No-tilling corn into alfalfa

[@declanjoyce8640]

Looking forward to the harvest results..it's amazing how the corn pushes it's way through the Alfalfa and then the Alfalfa dies and release it's nitrogen and other trace minerals, love the way you work with mother nature...fab!

[@paulmcwhorter]

Very Interesting. My farm sits on the equator in East Africa on the bank of the Nile River. I have solar pumps, sprinklers and drip irrigation, so I can apply water whenever needed. I farm with a small walk behind tractor, and create raised beds. With these conditions, could I start by establishing a good stand of alfalfa on a raised bed. Then mow the alfalfa, and then plant corn without tilling. Given I have a year round growing season, and alfalfa is a perineal, I am trying to figure out a continual system where the raised beds have both cover crop and food crop growing at the same time. I would sure appreciate your thoughts.

[@armyify]

Didn’t see your video until today but I tried the same thing last year except I used yellow sweet clover it was my best field and nicest corn plant I’ve ever seen in our area. Tried it again this year after last years promising results we had literally no rain after corn emergence it didn’t end up well. Sweet clover is almost identical to alfalfa except it will mow kill mid June and release all nutrients to the corn with no fertilizer needed

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

What was the rate you seeded the sweet clover at?

[@armyify]

Just 6lb per acre is all it takes if you can get a good stand if you have some volunteer rye with it that would probably work good too or a small grain with the clover when first seeded. The biennial yellow clover works just like winter rye

[@benmackley-n3m]

organic farming you the man

[@anilpotharaju2254]

Hi, You said like you had a bug problem and you replanted. Pls explain that experience and mistakes reasons etc.. others like me will get some learning from it.

[@beeroquoisnation]

I have so many questions about this. I have an Illinois patch that was certified last year, and wonder how this worked out for you.

[@wallyyuriy8912]

How did the corn get started in established alfalfa ?

[@Jorrie86]

When spreading manure on certified organic crops, does the manure also have to be from certified organic animals ? If the animals are fed GMO grains does that disqualify their manure from being used on certified organic crops ?

[@downbntout]

I'd say the animals prob urinated off toxins, but your test watch's tissue test results will answer you best

[@Hullsner]

Send us another update really interested in how this works out.

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

Thanks for the comment. I will give out another update

[@GeigerFarm]

Beardless??

[@hanksfarmvideos]

Any more updates on how the corn turned out?

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

I have not made another video on it yet. Waiting until we harvest it! Should be soon

[@ericmaaske1762]

Any update on harvest and how it turned out

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

Refer to video “Harvesting Organic Corn” #10. I show this field being harvested but didn’t give a lot of details about the results.

[@laurier3348]

@@farmingwithcarp8551 Results were disappointing ?

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

@@laurier3348 We were a little disappointed. I think a lot has to do with the black cutworm problems we had early in the year. We were still profitable here though. And we are for sure going to do more corn into alfalfa.

[@jamestucker3260]

@@farmingwithcarp8551 You know a lot more about planting into green than I do but I think the alfalfa just choked it. Too much competition since it never died, continued taking nutrients vs a cover crop that would decompose. Do you agree? Another question: would you guys use a propane weeder in your operation? Why not if the answer is no? Thanks! Love what you're doing.

[@jimmartindale]

How old was the alfalfa stand and did you take the first cutting?

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

This would be the third year the alfalfa has been established there. And no we did not take the first cutting off.

[@ryecarlson7867]

Hi Jim! You think it'd work better to mow it before/right after planting?

[@davidkaterynych9241]

Do you need to wait until the alfalfa is fairly tall before roller crimping it? Have you considered mowing the alfalfa after seeding? Do you think that would work?

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

Yes. We planted into it decently tall and rolled it when it was tall. And yes we also mowed the alfalfa after seeding when the corn was about v1. It worked decent, but once you cut alfalfa it just likes to grow and suck up the moisture.

[@davidkaterynych9241]

I seeded Sainfoin this year and I plan no till oats directly into it and mowing after. My thoughts are that Sainfoin doesn't regrow as well as alfalfa. It's also non bloat so in theory I could graze the Sainfoin before seeding instead of mowing.

[@paulnehring2127]

@@davidkaterynych9241 Sainfoin also has a larger stem so it might work better than alfalfa for crimping.

[@codydog1700]

How many days did you wait to roll the alfalfa after planting corn?

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

We waited about 4-6 days before we rolled the alfalfa.

[@codydog1700]

@@farmingwithcarp8551 Thank you. love the videos. My brother and i been thinking about going organic some day.

[@farmingwithcarp8551]

@@codydog1700 Thanks for the support. Organic farming is challenging, but rewarding at the same time.

[@jimmartindale]

Invite you to investigate CurseBuster.

[@timgulotta7595]

Hey Jim - send that quote over. I’m thinking that I will run (2) 60” sections in the fall, and (3) in the spring. Maybe add some in the future. Enjoy your Sunday.

[@merleelsing2211]

Looks like a mess to me!

[@jlkkauffman7942]

10 tons of manure! We’d get crucified by the conservation district if we did that.

[@darinnooren1130]

Don’t tell anyone

[@jlkkauffman7942]

@@darinnooren1130 you have to report it on your nutrient management plan!