This last season (2023) we started assessing different soybean configurations to estimate the potential productivity (no resource or management limitation) for the three cropping systems (i.e, soybean sole crop, soybean after a cover crop, and soybean in a double cropping). Knowing that farmers require economically viable solutions while attaining sustainable systems, we considered that double cropping could be an alternative that brings most of the benefits of cover cropping while allowing for further intensification of the cropping systems. Ultimately, we assessed the effect of soybean maturity rate and inter-row spacing on soybean yield for different intensification alternatives. The question we successfully initiated to answer was: Which are the maturity rate and inter row spacing that maximize soybean yield for each cropping system?
Our results indicated that double cropping effectively can potentially increase land productivity in Minnesota compared with the other alternatives. There is a lot of room for assessing the fine tuning of soybean management and the interaction with different growing conditions, and one of the main questions that arose is – what is performance of intensified cropping systems on real farm fields, acknowledging the inherent complexities of diverse environments. Accelerating the transition from controlled experiments to on-farm trials is relevant. The sooner we implement real-world tests, the quicker we can gather valuable feedback on the limiting factors, and maybe facilitate a prompt understanding of how the system could be adapted to the complexities of actual farming practices. In this way, the project looks for collaboration between researchers and farmers. Farmers should engage with the research process, share their experiences, and collectively contribute to the advancement of sustainable and intensified cropping systems across our region.
In order to achieve this goal, we propose to conduct simple field experiments at a farm level comparing the three cropping systems. The management for each system should be based on the knowledge generated last season (tillage, planting dates, maturities, plant population, inter-row spacing). Complementary, it proposes to continue with the more controlled experiments that will continue to generate inputs for the fine tuning of each management practice at the farm level and also will feed crop simulation models that are going to be powerful tools to extend the system design to different locations, managements and weather conditions.

1- Assess productivity of soybeans in sole crop, cover crop and double cropping systems in real farms and under real management and real weather conditions.

2- Identify and quantify local bottlenecks for cover crop and double crop implementation at the field scale.

3- In more controlled experiments, continue with the assessing of the impact of soybean management, including maturity rate and inter row spacing on yield for different crop intensification alternatives, sole crop, cover crop, double crops.

1-Real Farm Productivity Assessment: Objective evaluation of sole crop, cover crop, and double cropping systems on actual farms under real field conditions. Detailed analysis of soybean performance in diverse environments, addressing productivity variations.
2-Bottleneck Identification: Identification and quantification of local bottlenecks challenging the implementation of cover crops and double cropping at the field level. Insights into practical limitations faced by farmers in adopting intensified cropping systems.
3- Guidelines for soybean management: adjustments to maximize productivity under cover crop and double cropping systems in Minnesota.

Updated August 31, 2024:

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1-Enhanced Productivity: The project aims to assess the productivity of different cropping systems, providing farmers with valuable insights into which cropping system and what soybean management yields the highest output. This includes guidance on maturity rates, plant population and inter-row spacing, helping farmers tailoring their practices to maximize soybean productivity under the different cropping systems. This knowledge would allow farmers to make informed decisions in the design of the cropping systems in order to maximize the overall productivity.
2-Risk Mitigation: Soybean growers will gain insights into potential challenges and practical limitations, enabling them to adopt strategies that mitigate risks associated with these intensified cropping systems.
3-Cost-Effective: Farmers face economic challenges in adopting new practices. The project's focus on economically viable solutions ensures that recommendations for cropping systems adjustments are not only geared towards sustainability but also consider the financial aspects, making it feasible (or not) for farmers to implement them.
4-Adaptation to Real Farm Conditions: The on-farm experiments conducted across multiple locations ensure that the project's findings are directly applicable to real-world farming conditions. Farmers can trust that the recommendations are based on practical, field-tested knowledge.