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Farmers should weigh all of their options before deciding to harvest crop residue

Published Friday, October 03, 2008 at 05:12 AM

LINCOLN, October 2, 2008 – Increasing demand for harvested crop residue has left many producers wondering whether they should bale and sell their crop residue or leave it in the field. Before making that decision producers should consider how the removal of crop residue may impact their soil’s productivity and their bottom line, according to an agronomist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Corey Brubaker, conservation agronomist with NRCS in Lincoln, Neb., reminds farmers that plant residue left in the field after harvest can serve as a valuable resource.

“The residue left on the field following harvest is frequently referred to as “trash”. But crop residue contains some valuable nutrients,” Brubaker said.

Based on data from the University of Nebraska, a ton of corn residue contains about 17 lbs. of nitrogen, 4 lbs. of phosphorous, 50 lbs. of potassium, and 3 lbs. of sulfur. Using fertilizer prices from this spring, the estimated cost of nutrients removed would be about $26/ton. If 3-4 tons of residue per acre, or 5-6 round bales, are harvested then the value of nutrients removed would be $75-$100 per acre.

Brubaker said, “The nutrients found in crop residue help increase soil organic matter. Soil organic matter contributes directly to the nutrient availability and the nutrient and water holding capacity of the soil. The greater the soil organic matter, the healthier the soil. Organic matter provides carbon and energy for soil microorganisms. The microorganisms are required for nutrient cycling in the soil.”

Studies show that removing more crop residue than what the soil can tolerate will eventually result in a decline in soil health and yield. Research by the USDA-Agriculture Research Service at the University of Nebraska Agriculture Research and Development Center found that continuous no-till corn yields decreased an average of 6% over five years when half of the crop residue was removed each year.

Crop residue also provides ground cover, which helps control soil erosion. Many producers choose to maintain certain levels of residue cover to control soil erosion. Producers with highly erodible fields should contact their local NRCS office to review their conservation plan and discuss the potential impact of harvesting crop residue before they remove any from the field.

According to Brubaker, leaving crop residue on the soil’s surface can also provide many benefits in relation to soil moisture.

“Residue helps keep the soil cooler and minimizes evaporation, which leaves more water available for plant growth. Residue also traps snow in the winter and helps to evenly distribute the snow across the field resulting in more uniform soil moisture conditions and soil temperatures in the spring,” Brubaker said.

A recent study in Kansas on the impact of crop residue cover on soil water evaporation found that leaving the residue in place resulted in a savings of 3.5 inches of soil moisture. On dryland fields each additional inch of available water can result in about 40 additional bushels of corn per acre. On irrigated fields that same 3.5 inches of soil moisture could reduce irrigation costs. With irrigation costs averaging from $7 to $10 per acre-inch the resulting savings would be $25 to $35 per acre.

The actual cost of harvesting and bailing the residue should also be considered. Based on a custom baling price of $11.50 per big round bale, the cost of harvesting the residue can range from $60 to $70 per acre, depending on how many bales there are per acre. If the average bale weighs 1,200 lbs. that equals about $20/ton.

Brubaker wants producers thinking about harvesting crop residue to know they have many ways to reduce the impact of removing crop residue.

“Switching to a no-till system will help offset the impact of harvesting residue by reducing soil disturbance and increasing soil health. Producers who reduce the number of years low-residue producing crops are grown (e.g. soybeans) can somewhat offset the negative impact of removing crop residue.

“Establishing a cover crop prior to harvest or right after harvest can minimize the impacts of crop residue removal. Cover crops protect the soil surface, enhance soil biology, capture remaining nutrients and if legumes are planted, add nitrogen back into the soil.

“Adding manure into the soil is another option for reducing the impact of harvesting crop residue. Manure will not only replace some of the nutrients that were removed with the crop residue, but will also add some organic matter back into the system,” Brubaker said.

For more information about the impact of harvesting crop residue visit your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office located in the USDA Service Center.

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