Rye-Corn Silage Double-Cropping Reduces Corn Yield but Improves Environmental Impacts

Recent proliferation of large dairies has prompted concern regarding environmental impacts of associated corn silage production and high-rate manure application. Our objectives were to compare environmental impacts and forage production of monocrop corn (Zea mays L.) silage and rye (Secale cereal L.)-corn silage double-crop systems with multiple corn planting dates and high-rate manure application near Morris, MN. From 2007 to 2009, corn for silage was seeded into a silt loam as a monocrop in early and mid-May and as a double-crop aft er rye in mid-May and early June. Manure was fall applied annually at average total N and P rates of 393 and 109 kg ha(-1), respectively. Double-cropping reduced total forage dry matter (DM) yield 2 of 3 yr and reduced corn DM yield 15 to 25%. Soil NO3-N to 90 cm accumulated at an average rate of 71 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) with monocropping, but accumulation was not observed with double-cropping. Soil organic C concentration from 0 to 5 cm increased in the monocrop (18%) and double-crop (26%) systems over 3 yr. Average soil solution NO3-N concentration was high with monocropping (52 mg L-1) and double-cropping (37 mg L-1), but estimated leaching load averaged only 8 kg ha-1 yr-1. Fall and spring ground cover was oft en less than 10% with monocropping but was usually greater than 30% with double-cropping. The primary environmental concerns identified for monocrop corn silage were soil NO3-N buildup and inadequate ground cover. Double-cropping addressed each concern but oft en decreased forage production.