Page 32 - Logan County Farm Outlook - Spring 2013

soil, increased microbial action and
the introduction of a greater earthworm
population.
In addition, for those who needed to
graze their animals on the cover, turnips
and radishes are a good
alternative to grasses.
Towery told the group
that if grazing is part of
the plan, cattle prefer
turnips to radishes.
On the other hand,
Towery said the tuber
crops can also be
attractive to cutworms.
Having those pests in the field could
eventually lead to them feasting on corn
instead of radishes.
Towery showed the group slides of root
depths with radishes. While the body of
the radish was lean and only about 6 to
8 inches long, the taproot and hair roots
on the tuber were extremely long. This
results in the soil being broken up, with
more organic matter left behind. Towery
also showed that researchers had dug
up plots of corn with radishes to see
where the corn roots where going. They
found taproots from the cornstalks going
as deep as 70 inches.
These same crops also help increase
earthworm activity, further increasing
soil organic matter, aeration and
reducing compaction. Studies show that
earthworms are attracted
to the radishes and enjoy
eating through the heart
of the tuber. The most
desirable earthworm
is the one that travels
horizontally through the
upper layers of the soil,
consuming plant and soil
matter and depositing
fecal mater.
On the downside, there is something
about radishes that stinks, literally.
Towery said the decayed radish lets off
an offensive odor similar to that of rotten
cabbage. Because of this, radishes
planted near homesteads may cause
some issues for those living there.
After the meeting, Towery spoke one-
on-one with LDN about a couple of
cash cover crops. He said that in this
area, wheat is not being considered for
a couple of reasons. The money isn’t
Cover crops continued
2013 LOGAN COUNTY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE. LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com March 21, 2013
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