Description
Finding room for cover crops in a potato rotation isn't easy, especially in southern Alberta, where a short growing season can leave little time between harvest and winter. But at Quattro Farms near Bow Island, Alta., a new field trial is putting a multi-species cover crop to the test, with hopes of improving soil health without compromising potato production.
In this episode of RealAgriculture's Farming Forward, Quattro Farms agronomist Emily Ford explains how the operation is exploring the potential of cover crops through the Farm Resilience Mentorship (FaRM) Field Trials program.
Quattro Farms is a joint venture between five family farms producing a variety of specialty crops, including potatoes, mint, hemp, and seed canola. While cover crops are already part of some rotations, introducing a multi-species mix ahead of potatoes is a new approach for the operation.
Potato production involves significant tillage, leaving soil vulnerable to wind erosion over winter. Ford hopes that incorporating different root structures through a mix of oats, crimson clover, phacelia, and sunflowers could help protect the soil while encouraging nutrient cycling and soil biology.
The challenge is getting those plants established. With only 100 to 125 frost-free days, southern Alberta potato growers have a narrow window to work with, and moisture can be another limiting factor.
That challenge became apparent during the trial's first year. Originally planned for August, seeding was delayed until September 11 due to on-farm logistics. Despite the late start, some of the species managed to establish.
Even if the cover crop proves successful, Ford says evaluating its economic benefits will require patience.
"You might not not see the immediate benefit at the end of the season."
For now, the goal is to see whether the practice can work on a small scale before expanding to more acres. Ford hopes the trial will help address producers' concerns about introducing unfamiliar species into their rotations, but the real test won't come until the next potato harvest in fall 2027.
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