TAKING TILLAGE OUT OF ORGANIC GRAIN CROP PRODUCTION WITH ECOLOGY, TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1023545
• Grant No.: 2020-51300-32183
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $2,000,000.00
• Proposal No.: 2020-02150
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2025
• Grant Year: 2020
• Program Code: [113.A]- Organic Agriculture Research & Extension Initiative

Recipient Organization
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ITHACA,NY 14853

Performing Department
Soil & Crop Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Organic field crop and dairy farmers in the Northeast and Upper Midwest are facing extraordinary challenges related to an increased frequency of extreme weather events that restrict crop production. Additionally, there is increased market competition from both imported organic grain and industrial farms that have transitioned to organic production. Transformative changes are needed to address these challenges and meet the goals of the OREI program. Building on decades of combined experience using rolled-crimped cover crops and cultural weed management practices to replace tillage in organic field crop production, we will help organic farmers increase profitability and resilience to extreme weather by 1) redesigning crop rotations to enable extended sequences of no-till production, 2) integrating cultural, mechanical, and electric weed control practices for reducing weed populations and weed-crop competition, and 3) developing adaptive management decision support tools to optimize cropping system performance. Central to our transdisciplinary project is a farmer-focused co-learning approach to research and extension where organic farmers work together with researchers on experiments and are involved in direct farmer-to-farmer learning. New curriculum will be developed for an undergraduate course on organic agriculture at Cornell University and modules will be shared with professors at other universities. Project activities will culminate in an international summit on organic no-till crop production held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. There, farmers, researchers, extension educators, and other agricultural service providers will work together to catalyze adoption of organic no-till cropping systems, while undergraduate and graduate students connect their curriculum to real-world applications.

Animal Health Component

95%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

5%

Applied

95%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	1599	1070	80%
216	2300	1070	20%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1599 - Grain crops, general/other; 2300 - Weeds;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

no-till

adaptive management

cover crop

decision support tool

roller-crimper

soil health

soybean

Goals / Objectives
Project Goal and Objectives. Our long-term goal is to develop robust management strategies for reducing tillage in organic grain and forage based cropping systems and facilitate the transformation to a more sustainable agriculture that better balances tradeoffs between productivity, environmental impact, and farmer quality of life. We will achieve our long-term goal through the following five objectives:1. Test adaptive management strategies and new weed management tools for optimizing organic no-till soybean production.2. Develop an organic reduced-tillage cropping system for grain and forage production that decreases soil disturbance across an extended sequence of crops in a rotation.3. Conduct a series of on-farm research and demonstration trials to develop a real-time decision support tools for management of cereal rye in an organic no-till soybean phase.4. Develop extension tools and activities to facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning, create on-line videos and a production guide and host an international summit on organic no-till production.5. Train the next generation of farmers, agricultural service providers, and educators by developing course modules and experiential learning activities focused on organic no-till.

Project Methods
Activity 1a. The Self-Seeding in Organic Soybean Experiment will be initiated in September 2020 on certified organic land at Cornell and UW Agricultural Research Stations. The field experiment will be repeated each year in a different field at both sites for a total of 6 site-years. The experiment design will be a split-split-split randomized complete block with two levels of four different factors. We will measure soil temperature (Watchdog data loggers) and soil moisture (neutron probe) continuously in rolled cover crop and tillage-based plots to better understand weed suppression and competition. Ground cover of cereal rye will be measured using Canopeo. Protocols and sampling methods will be similar to those used in previous research.Activity 1b. The Supplemental Weed Management in Organic No-till Soybean Experiment will be initiated in September 2020 by seeding cereal rye in certified organic land at Cornell and UW Agricultural Research Stations. The field experiment will be repeated each year in a different field at both sites for a total of 6 site-years. The experiment will be designed as a split-plot randomized complete block with four treatments: 1) Standard management (rolled-crimped cereal rye alone); 2) High-residue cultivation, 3) Inter-row mowing, and 4) Electric weed zapper (Fig. 7). Each main plot (40 × 120 ft) will be split to evaluate weed management efficacy under ambient weed populations and supplemented weed seed bank conditions. Cover crop and soybean planting will occur in a single pass operation at cereal rye anthesis as described above.Activity 2a. The Reduced-tillage Rotation Experiment will be initiated in September 2020 on certified organic land at Cornell and UW agricultural Research Stations. This experiment will strive towards a viable, continuous organic no-till crop rotation by building upon existing organic no-till management research of summer annuals, grains, and winter annual cereals. This continuous organic no-till crop rotation will consist of linking together established rolled-crimped system crop couplets of a) cereal rye-soybean, b) buckwheat-winter wheat and c) hairy vetch-corn by employing cultural weed management tactics, utilizing no-till seeding equipment, reducing weed seed rain via strategic mowing & forage harvests, exploiting cover crop competition and biology, and implementing innovative weed management tools.Activity 2b.We will compare production across several winter and summer cash crops that are no-till planted into rolled-crimped cover crops. This experiment will be conducted at the Cornell and UW Agricultural Research Stations. Using a gradient of crop species representing different plant families that have beneficial traits with respect to management and market options, we will examine biotic (pests, cover crop growth, etc.) and abiotic (soil moisture, soil nutrient, temperature, etc.) factors that affect cash crop establishment, growth, productivity, and profitability. Expenses and labor will be tracked in each treatment and assessed along with crop yields to calculate profitability. Prior to grain harvest, we will evaluate the density and biomass of each weed species within a 0.5 m2 quadrat in each experimental unit. Weed community structure will be assessed through multivariate analysis (e.g., nonmetric multidimensional scaling, PERMANOVA, indicator species analysis). Structural Equation Models (SEM) will be used to evaluate the relative contributions of nutrient availability, allelopathy, and phylogenetic relatedness. Activity 2c. We will test the effect of rolled cover crops on white mold in several of the main crops (soybean, sunflower and dry bean) within Activity 2c at the Research North facility of Cornell AgriTech at the NY State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY. This field is transitioning to certified organic production and has been uniformly inoculated with S. sclerotiorum for six consecutive years. The experiment will be repeated twice in different positions of the field over the course of this project.Activity 3. Using a co-learning approach, we will conduct a series of research and demonstration trials at collaborating organic farms in the Upper Midwest and Northeast to evaluate adaptive management strategies, develop decision support tools, and refine management practices and strategies tested in Objectives 1 and 2. On-farm research will focus on timing of no-till planting soybean and other cultural weed management practices in addition to testing new weed management tools, including inter-row mowing and electric weed zapping.Activity 4a. A core group of six organic grain and dairy farmers have agreed to actively assist with our research program and serve as regional representatives. These farmers will then become peer leaders sharing expertise, experiences, and perspectives at workshops and on-farm field days. On-farm field days, using the "seeing-is-believing" strategy, are an important part of our effort to promote strategies for reducing soil tillage across organic grain rotations. In each year, at least one cooperating farmer will host an on-farm field day, organized by the farmer, a co-PD, and local Extension staff. Field days will highlight project results and innovative farm practices.Activity 4b. We will prepare research reports for organic farmers in each year of the project and distribute them to farmers at outreach events and via websites. We will create and distribute a quarterly newsletter via email to project stakeholders, collaborators, and interested farmers. The newsletter will take a broader and more informal approach than the annual research reports. It will feature introductions to the team, project profiles, photos from the experiments, tool updates, and applicable stories about organic no-till production from other researchers outside the project. In addition to email, the quarterly newsletters will be available online through the existing university websites. In year 4, we will also publish an extensive Organic No-till Crop Production Guide based on our research data, other relevant research, and producer experience.Activity 4c. We will organize the International Organic No-Till Summit and bring together people who are interested in organic no-till from around the world. The summit will be held in January 2024 in partnership with the OGRAIN Winter Conference in Madison, WI, thus allowing for efficiencies in facilities costs and speaker travel, as well as ensuring strong farmer participation to complement the research presentations.Activity 5. We will engage students with experiential learning activities that increase their understanding of organic no-till crop production, weed ecology, soil science, systems research, and agroecological theory. Students will learn about using cover crops to reduce tillage in organic crop production by visiting field research sites. Student learning objectives include: 1) introduction to the role of no-till agriculture as a way to adapt to changing weather patterns from climate change, 2) understanding adaptive management through using our decision support tool on theoretical scenarios, 3) developing capacity to formulate solutions to weed management challenges in organic production, and 4) fostering an appreciation of co-learning with farmers during field trips to the farms of our participating advisory board.

Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during the project were organic farmers in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast regions who grow grain crops (soybean, dry bean, small grains) as well as forages, and who have struggled with decreased profitability over the past several years due to challenges from extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or weaker markets. Changes/Problems:The project was significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, we adapted our approach to continue advancing research aligned with our objectives, ultimately supporting achievement of the project's overall goal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has offered five undergraduate student researchers the opportunity to learn about agriculture research within no-till organic systems. One MS student and three PhD students associated with this project gained skills in field project management, research methods, and presenting results. Research technicians gained experience in refining sampling protocols and methods, project management, and organic no-till management techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been distributed through field days, farmer-advisory board meetings, scientific and farmer conferences, virtual conferences, and a no-till organic soybean growers guide. The below lists scientific, extension, and poster presentations: Ryan, MR, EM Silva, B Brockmueller, A DiTommaso, E McFadden, UD Menalled, CJ Pelzer, AV Rowland, NA Sharifi, LM Sosnoskie, S Wallace, and E Youngerman. 2025. Weed Between the Lines: Interrow Mowing for Weed Control in Organic Reduced-tillage Corn. 20Th European Weed Research Society Symposium. Lleida, Spain. PS2- 41b. Bajwa, P, V Kumar, H Scatena, C Pelzer, MR Ryan, A DiTommaso. 2025. Comparing Interrow Mower, Electric Weeder, and Herbicides for Weed Control in Soybean. Joint meeting of Weed Science Society of America and Canadian Weed Science Society. 65:294. Ryan, MR, EM Silva, B Brockmueller, A DiTommaso, EG McFadden, UD Menalled, CJ Pelzer, AV Rowland, NA Sharifi, L Sosnoskie, S Wallace, E Youngerman. 2025. Weed Between the Lines: Inter-row Mowing for Weed Control in Organic Reduced-tillage Corn and Soybean. Joint meeting of Weed Science Society of America and Canadian Weed Science Society. 65:296. Nepal, J, S Pethybridge, and MR Ryan. 2024. Mulch from Rolled-Crimped Cereal Rye Suppresses White Mold and Weeds in Organic No-till Planted Soybean and Dry Bean. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. November 12, 2024. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/158220 Wallace, S, B Brockmueller, CJ Pelzer, S Wayman, J Nepal, S Pethybridge, EM Silva, and MR Ryan. 2024. Precipitation at Planting Drives Yield Gap in Organic No-till Soybean Production. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/161213 Sharifi, NA, CJ Pelzer, UD Menalled, K Loria, S Wayman, and MR Ryan. 2024. Optimizing Weed Management and Crop Yield in Organic No-till Planted Corn Production. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/158455 McFadden, E, K Loria, CJ Pelzer, S Wayman, E Youngerman, B Brockmueller, EM Silva, and MR Ryan. 2024. Triticale Management Prior to Organic No-till Planted Soybean. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/159636 Menalled, UD, EM Silva, CG Stedden, and MR Ryan. 2024. Barriers and Drivers of Organic No-till Corn and Soybean Adoption: Insights from a Nationwide Farmer Survey. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/158825 Ryan MR, Pelzer CJ. Organic Cropping Systems Field Day. Aurora, NY. August 15, 2025. Youngerman, E., Pelzer, C., Ryan, M., Amsilli, J., & Loria, K. 2025. Effects of organic cropping system management on soil microinvertebrates. Organic Crop Systems Field Day. Aurora, NY. August 15, 2025. Ryan MR, Wallace S, Roldan A. Reducing tillage in corn production with living and rolled-crimped legume mulches. Aurora Farm Field Day. Aurora, NY. July 24, 2025. Brockmueller B. Equipment innovations for reducing tillage in organics: Research and experience from UW-Madison. Vernon County Organic Workshop. April 12, 2025. Brockmueller B. Managing reduced tillage organic grain systems for success. 2025 Land Connection conference. Feb 5, 2025. Brockmueller B, Ryan MR. Research update. Regenerative Organic Gathering at Organic Grain Resource and Information Network Annual Meeting. Madison, WI. Jan. 23, 2025. Mattie C, Brockmueller B, Silva E. Adaptive management in organic no-till soybeans: A systems comparison. 2025 Marbleseed Conference. La Crosse, WI. Feb 21, 2025. Brockmueller B, Luck B, Silva E. Improving organic no-till soybean plant stands: Coulter evaluations. 2025 Marbleseed Conference. La Crosse, WI. Feb 21, 2025. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. Testing management and tools for optimizing organic no-till soybean production Major activities: Three experiments evaluated weed management tools for organic no-till soybean, including high soybean seeding rates, inter-row mowing, weed zapping, and combinations of these treatments compared with no-management controls, resulting in a peer-reviewed publication (Rowland et al. 2023; 2020-2022, NY and WI). Two additional experiments tested inter-row mowing within living mulch systems for organic corn using different legume mulches with tillage or forage harvest (2023-2025, NY and WI), and inter-row mowing in soybean grown in cereal rye mulch (2023-2024, NY and WI). Data collected: Cover crop and weed biomass, living mulch biomass, weed cover and seed production; crop emergence, biomass, SPAD, development, yield, and harvest density. Results: Inter-row mowing consistently reduced weed biomass and, when combined with high soybean seeding rates, increased soybean yield. In living mulch systems, inter-row mowing reduced crop/mulch competition and increased corn yield. In rolled-crimped soybean, inter-row mowing reduced weed biomass but did not affect yield. Key outcomes: Equipment-based strategies such as interrow mowing can provide effective weed management options that reduce reliance on tillage while maintaining or improving yields in organic no-till soybean and corn systems. Objective 2. Developing reduced-tillage and organic no-till cropping systems Major activities: Three different experiments evaluated reduced-tillage corn systems, testing cover crop mixtures, corn seeding rates, nitrogen rates, starter fertilizer, and interrow mowing in NY and WI (2022-2024). A related WI experiment tested corn morphology and planting density in organic living mulch (2024). An additional experiment at 3 sites tested crop tolerance to rolling crimping (in corn, sunflower, soybean, and black bean) 1-5 weeks after planting. A rotation experiment evaluated cover crop-cash crop sequences, with microplots for fertility and weed control (2020-2022, NY). White mold experiments assessed cereal rye biomass and black bean seeding rate effects on disease suppression and crop performance (2021-2023, NY). Data collected: Weed biomass, crop damage after rolling, establishment, population, biomass, yield, cover crop regrowth, and soil nutrients. Results: Interrow mowing generally improved corn yield. Hairy vetch and hairy vetch-oat mixtures produced the highest corn yields. Soybean tolerated rolling-crimping up to five weeks after planting, while corn tolerance declined after three weeks. In the rotation experiment we found no-till yields matched tilled controls in at least one cover crop treatment. Higher cereal rye biomass reduced white mold incidence in soybean. Key outcomes: Legume-rich cover crops, strategic interrow mowing, and flexible rolling-crimping windows can improve no-till yields while reducing soil disturbance and, for cereal rye, disease pressure. Objective 3. Improving decision making in organic no-till soybean Major activities: Three experiments tested starter fertilizer rates (2020-2022), soybean seeding depth (2020-2021), and triticale termination strategies (2022-2024) in NY and WI. The NRCC Water Deficit Calculator was expanded to the Upper Midwest and Northeast and enhanced with probabilistic NOAA forecasts. APSIM modeling analyzed 13 site-years of yield and precipitation data (2013-2023). Data collected: Cover crop and weed biomass, soybean growth stage, stand counts, height, and yield. Results: Starter fertilizer did not affect soybean yield. In 2022, no-till soybean yields were below tilled controls, likely due to dry planting conditions. Forage-harvested triticale increased weed pressure and reduced yield. APSIM showed a 24% yield gap between no-till and tilled systems in 7 of 13 site-years, driven by dry conditions around planting. Precipitation during a 30-day window around planting strongly predicted this yield gap, with no-till yield declining after drier springs. Key outcomes: Soil moisture at planting was a primary driver of no-till soybean success. Deeper soybean planting improved yield during dry conditions. Decision-support tools such as APSIM and the NRCC calculator can help farmers assess risk and optimize management. Objective 4. Outreach to support farmer-to-farmer learning Major activities: At least 900 copies of the Organic No-Till Planted Soybean Production guide were distributed in print (2020-2025). The guide was posted on the Sustainable Cropping Systems website and the Hudson Valley Farm Hub website. Farmer-advisory board meetings were held April 2021, February 2022, March 2023, and March 2024. Many events enabled education on no-till organic production (see Other Products section), with highlights described below. In January 2022, 2023, 2025, and February 2024, we hosted the annual OGRAIN (Organic Grain Resources and Information Network) winter conference (Madison, WI) and a regenerative organic pre-event focused on farmer-to-farmer information sharing. At the April 2023 NY Certified Organic meeting (Geneva, NY), we facilitated a round-table discussion, which hosted three local organic farmers using cover cropping practices. The on-farm field day ("Reducing Tillage and Adaptive Management in Organic Field Crop Systems") at the Martens farm (NY), was held in August 2023. The day included field tours of current no-till cover cropping practices implemented by the Martens, with 160 attendees present. In February 2025, we hosted the Organic Field Crops Conference (Geneva, NY) with 120 attendees. The conference focused on reduced-tillage organic systems and included farmer-led panels and presentations. The OGRAIN list serve shared organic no-till videos and resources. A video on cover crops and cash crop sequences for organic no-till was posted on the Hudson Valley Farm Hub's website to introduce farmers to the NT rotation experiment (2022). Another video highlighted the interrow mower and reached 1.4 thousand views (2022). Finally, two videos detailing adaptive management decisions in organic no-till and four videos of farmer testimonials were recorded and posted online (2023). On-farm trials on three farms in NY (2024) grew organic no-till corn, using geospatially referenced sampling areas within farmer production fields, in a farmer-led research context, examining fertility management and cover crop type. Data collected: Farmers and researchers collected soil samples, plant biomass, and corn yield. Key outcomes: These efforts expanded access to practical, research-based guidance for organic no-till production and promoted farmer-to-farmer learning to reduce economic and labor barriers to adopting organic no-till systems. On-farm trials encouraged farmer-researcher collaboration to answer each farmer's questions around no-till corn management. Objective 5. Course modules and experiential learning Major activities: A module about organic no-till was developed and delivered in PLSCS 3800 (Principles and Practices in Certified Organic Agricultural) at Cornell University in Spring 2022 and Spring 2024. Students in PLSCI 4125/6125 (Cover Crops in Agroecosystems) at Cornell University (Fall 2021, Fall 2022, and Fall 2023) learned about the relationship between crop seed size and emergence by conducting a greenhouse experiment and measuring seedling emergence across several planting depths. Key outcomes: The greenhouse experiment in PLSCI 4125/6125 was shared with other educators and conducted at six universities (2022). In this course at Cornell, students learned about the history of organic agriculture, the USDA National Organic Program, management practices used in organic crop and livestock production, and scientific research on organic agriculture. Laboratory sessions complemented lecture discussions with fieldwork and trips to a variety of organic farms.

Publications

• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Ryan, MR, TJ Rose, S Wayman, CJ Pelzer, and UD Menalled. 2024. Rolled-crimped cover crops for organic no-till planted winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 7(4), p.e70015. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70015
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Allen, J, UD Menalled, G Adeux, CJ Pelzer, S Wayman, AB Jernigan, S Cordeau, A DiTommaso, and MR Ryan. 2024. Fertility and tillage intensity affect weed community diversity and functional structure in long-term organic systems. Ecological Applications e3029. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.3029
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Stedden, C, EM Silva, MR Ryan, E Mallory, H Darby, J Dawson, A Hartman, and ME Sorrells. 2024. Organic small grain production in the Upper Midwest and Northeast: challenges and lessons learned. Agronomy Journal 116:2735-2753. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21658
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Economos Z, Bloom EH, Menalled UD, Pethybridge SJ, Ryan MR, Casteel CL (submitted) Cereal rye (Secale cereale) and canola (Brassica napus) cover crops reduce dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) herbivore damage. Pest Science Management (submitted)
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Menalled UD, Ryan MR. Selecting the most suitable predecessor: Ecosystem services from cover crops to reduce tillage, pesticides, and fertilizer. Scientific Reports (submitted).
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: 1. Loria K, Pelzer CJ, Wayman S, Youngerman E, Brockmueller B, Silva EM, & Ryan, MR. Comparing triticale termination and weed management strategies in organic no-till soybean. (in prep 2025)
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: 1. Ryan MR, Silva EM, Menalled UD. Survey of organic no-till corn and soybean farmers. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems Journal. (in prep 2025)
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: 1. Menalled UD, Silva EM, Ryan MR. Research priorities and information sources of organic corn and soybean farmers in the United States. Agricultural & Environmental Letters. (in prep 2025)
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: 1. Pinto AF, Loria K, Allen J, Pelzer CJ, Wayman S, Ryan MR, Gomez M. Multi-criteria assessment of the sustainability performance of organic management approaches.
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: 1. Nepal, J, Menalled, UD, Pelzer, CJ, Jernigan, A, Wickings, K, Murphy, S, Ryan, MR, and Pethybridge, SJ in preparation. Effect of rolled-crimped cereal rye mulch on white mold, root rot, weeds and yields in organically managed no-till planted soybean and dry bean. (Agron. J.)
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: 1. Pethybridge, SJ, Murphy, S, Pelzer, CJ, Menalled, JD, and Ryan, MR. In preparation. Role of cereal rye mulch in white mold suppression in dry bean, soybean and sunflower. (HortScience)

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period were organic farmers in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast regions who grow grain crops (soybean, dry bean, small grains) as well as forages, and who have struggled with decreased profitability over the past several years due to challenges from extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or weaker markets. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has offered one undergraduate student researcher, and a visiting intern, the opportunity to learn about agriculture research within no-till organic systems. Two MS students and a PhD student associated with this project gained skills on field project management, research methods, and presenting results. Research technicians gained experience in refining sampling protocols and methods, project management, and organic no-till management techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been distributed through field days, farmer-advisory board meetings, scientific and farmer conferences, virtual conferences, seminars, extension workshops, presentations,and a no-till organic soybean growers guide. Nepal, J, CJ Pelzer, JP Amsili, H van Es, D Aller, S Wayman, K Loria, E Youngerman, AB Jernigan, J Allen, and MR Ryan. 2024. Insights into soil health from the Cornell Organic Grains Cropping Systems (OGCS) experiment. SSSA 2024 Summer Conference. 1037 Ryan, MR. Agroecology for advancing regenerative agriculture. Mid-Atlantic Ecology Society of America Annual Conference. Kutztown University, April 6, 2024. (Keynote presentation) Ryan, MR. Better weed management with ecology, tools, and technology. Annual Grain Growers Conference. University of Vermont. Essex, VT. Mar. 20, 2024. Brockmueller B, de Jong L, Silva E. Closing yield gaps in living mulch organic corn: Key lessons. Marbleseed Conference. Feb. 22, 2024. Brockmueller B, Pelzer CJ. Organic no-till research updates. OGRAIN Conference. Feb 1, 2024. Madison, WI. Ryan, MR, TJ Rose, S Wayman, CJ Pelzer, and UD Menalled. 2024. Rolled-crimped cover crops for organic no-till planted winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). European Weed Research Society 'Physical and Cultural Weed Control' Working Group Meeting. Wageningen, Netherlands. Silva, EM, B Brockmueller, B Luck, and MR Ryan. 2024. Living mulch organic corn systems: Lessons learned in closing the yield gap in the Temperate US Regions. European Weed Research Society 'Physical and Cultural Weed Control' Working Group Meeting. Wageningen, Netherlands. Menalled, UD, S Wayman, TJ Rose, C Pelzer, MR Ryan. 2024. Managing rolled-crimped cover crops for organic no-till wheat (Triticum aestivum). Northeastern Weed Science Society Conference. 81. Menalled, UD, MR Ryan, and CJ Pelzer. 2023. Effective crop sequences for organic no-till field crop production. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting. ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems. 236-3. McFadden, E, K Loria, CJ Pelzer, E Youngerman, B Brockmueller, EM Silva, and MR Ryan. 2023. No-till planting organic soybean into rolled-crimped triticale and triticale harvested for forage. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting. ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems. 236-4. Brockmueller B, Drewry J, Luck B, Silva E. Strategic management to promote reduced tillage organic corn systems. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting 2023. Silva, E. Regenerative Agriculture. Sustainable and Healthy Landscapes Conference. December 6, 2023. Madison WI. Silva E, Brockmueller B, King J. Research updates. OGRAIN Field Day. Arlington, WI. Aug. 26, 2024. Ryan MR, Loria K. Balancing tradeoffs when no-till planting into cover crops. Aurora Farm Field Day. Musgrave Research Farm, Aurora NY. August 1, 2024. Ryan MR, Loria K. No-till soybean plots planted into different winter cover crops. Soil Health Field Day at Rodman Lott & Son Farms. Seneca Falls, NY. July 25, 2024. Brockmueller, B. Roller crimping and organic no-till: Experiences from UW-Madison. Mad! Ag/OGRAIN Learning Cohort. Virtual. March 14, 2024. Brockmueller, B. Minimizing tillage in organic corn systems: Challenges and opportunities. Vernon County Organic Workshop. Viroqua, WI. March 7, 2024. Ryan MR. Adaptive management. Regenerative Organic Gathering at Organic Grain Resource and Information Network Annual Meeting. Madison, WI. Feb. 1, 2024. Ryan MR. Reducing tillage in organic grain systems. Organic Valley Research Roundtable. December 5, 2023. Virtual event. Silva, EM. 2023. Organic No-Till Production. Iowa Organic Conference, Des Moines, IA, November 24, 2023. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data from the field experiments will continue to be analyzed, written up, and prepared for presentation at academic conferences and extension events. We will host a farmer-advisory board meeting in winter 2024. We will plan a regional winter organic conference in NY and continue to hold the OGRAIN winter conference series. The undergraduate course will be taught again, incorporating student feedback from previous semesters.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1 Major activities: In the 2024 growing season, we repeated the experiment on organic soybean grown in cereal rye mulch to test the efficacy of inter-row mowing on weeds compared to tillage-based cultivation. Treatments included tillage and inter-row mowing, no-till and high-residue cultivation, no-till and inter-row mowing, no-till with no weed control, and standard tillage with cultivation. "Living Mulch Corn": Experiments replicated in WI and NY tested the inter-row mower in a living mulch cover crop in the 2024 season using three living mulch species: alfalfa, red clover, and yellow blossom sweet clover. We compared combinations of strip tillage, forage harvest, and inter-row mowing for in-season cover crop suppression and weed control. Data collected: Cover crop and weed species biomass, living mulch biomass, weed cover, crop emergence, crop biomass, crop SPAD, crop development, crop yield, and harvest density. Significant Results: Inter-row mowing in rolled-crimped no-till soybean reduced weed biomass compared to tilled treatments, but did not impact soybean yield. In living mulch systems, the inter-row mower helped reduce living mulch/corn competition and increased corn yield. In WI, corn vigor, measured through SPAD readings, improved as management intensity increased. Key outcomes: Concerns about sole reliance on cover crop mulch for weed suppression have been cited by farmers as a critical limitation preventing greater adoption of organic no-till soybean. This research provided insight into the role of the inter-row mower to help address this limitation. Objective 2 Major activities: The second year of a corn experiment in NY in 2024 tested key management factors driving optimal yield in organic no-till corn. Treatments included cover crop (hairy vetch + cereal rye and hairy vetch + oats), corn seeding rate (15,000-60,000 pure live seed/ac), nitrogen rate (0-250 lb/ac N), and inter-row mowing vs. none, in a split-split-plot, split-block experimental design. Another corn experiment conducted in 2023-2024 in NY and WI tested different cover crop mixtures (hairy vetch, hairy vetch + oats, and hairy vetch + cereal rye), starter fertilizer vs. no starter fertilizer, and inter-row mowing for weed management vs. none. Experiments at three sites evaluated crop susceptibility to rolling crimping after crop emergence for corn, sunflower, soybean, and black bean. Crops were rolled-crimped at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after planting. Data collected: Cover crop and weed biomass, corn population counts, vetch regrowth, crop biomass, corn grain yield, and visual damage ratings following rolling. Significant Results: Corn yield increased asymptotically with corn density. Higher N requirements of hairy vetch + cereal rye reflected N uptake by cereal rye before termination and corn planting. When pooled across treatments, inter-row mowing increased corn yield by 20%. In the second corn experiment, preliminary analysis suggested hairy vetch and hairy vetch-oat mixtures produced the highest corn yields. Hairy vetch-cereal rye mixtures reduced corn density by approximately 50% due to planting challenges in high-biomass mulch. In NY, inter-row mowing increased yield by 27%, while no effect was observed in WI. Results from the rolling experiment showed soybean tolerated rolling crimping up to five weeks after planting, while corn showed damage three weeks and after. Visual damage ratings indicated a higher proportion of dead plants in corn, whereas soybean showed more crimped than dead plants. Key outcomes: Addressing system constraints for organic no-till corn is essential for improving yield through optimized plant population, nitrogen availability, and weed-crop competition. Determining ideal rolling-crimping timing can help resolve challenges associated with delayed planting based on cover crop growth stage. Objective 3 Major activities: The third year of the experiment testing triticale termination methods for no-till soybean was repeated in NY and WI. Treatments were 1) forage harvest with triticale harvested at boot stage then planting soybeans, 2) rolling crimping with soybeans planted into standing triticale at boot stage then rolling crimping at 50% anthesis of triticale, 3) forage harvest with inter-row mowing to manage weeds, 4) rolling crimping with inter-row mowing to manage weeds, and 5) cultivated control. APSIM software was used to analyze precipitation and soybean yield from 13 site-years of reduced-tillage organic soybean systems in NY. The NRCC water deficit calculator was expanded to include locations across the Midwest and Northeast. Data collected: Triticale biomass, soybean emergence and development, soybean and weed biomass, and soybean yield. Significant Results: In the triticale experiment, the rolled crimped plus inter-row mowed treatment had the lowest weed biomass. Forage-harvested treatments with inter-row mowing produced soybean yields greater than rolled treatments, although tilled treatments produced the highest yields. APSIM analysis showed no-till organic soybean planted into rolled-crimped cereal rye yielded significantly less than tilled systems in 7 of 13 site-years, with a 24% yield gap, which was strongly predicted by precipitation during a 30-day window around planting. Key outcomes: Inter-row mowing has potential to reduce weed abundance and maintain yield when triticale is harvested for forage, though additional research is needed to close the yield gap between no-till and tilled soybean systems. APSIM and the improved NRCC calculator provide adaptive decision-support tools to help farmers assess drought risk and optimize termination or harvest strategies. Objective 4 Major activities: Multiple events enabled education on no-till organic production. On August 1, 2024, we presented on balancing trade-offs when no-till planting into cover crops at the Cornell University Aurora Farm Field Day. On August 30, 2024, nearly 100 farmers and researchers attended an on-farm field day at Oechsner Farms (Newfield, NY). The program included a tour of the farm's grain cleaning facility and the partner flour mill, reduced-tillage and diversified organic grain fields, and peer-to-peer networking focused on value-added enterprise development. The field day emphasized how integrating small grains into rotations can boost soil health and whole-farm resilience. The OGRAIN Organic Grain Conference occurred February 1-3, 2024. PD Ryan and co-PD Silva led the "Regenerative Organic Gathering" as a special event before the conference. Topics included organic reduced-tillage corn and soybean production using living and rolled cover crops; interseeding cover crops into organic corn, and reduced tillage strategies for alternative crops in rotation. We shared research updates from this project. Klaas Martens (project advisory board) was a keynote speaker at the event on his experiences incorporating cover crops into rotation. Key outcomes: These events expanded farmer access to practical, research-based knowledge on organic reduced-tillage systems and supported improvements in soil health, diversified rotations, and whole-farm resilience. Objective 5 Major activities: In Fall 2023, students in PLSCI 4125/6125 (Cover Crops in Agroecosystems) at Cornell University learned about the relationship between crop seed size and emergence by conducting a greenhouse experiment and measuring seedling emergence across several planting depths. In Spring 2024, an organic no-till class module was delivered in PLSCS 3800 (Principles and Practices in Certified Organic Agricultural) at Cornell University.

Publications

• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Brockmueller, B., J.L. Drewry, J.L., Vereecke, L., Luck, B., Silva, E.M., Smith, A. 2024. Row unit down force and coulter effects vary by environmental conditions in organic no?till soybeans. Agronomy Journal. 116(3):1478-1491. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21552
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Stedden, C., Silva, E.M., Ryan, M., Mallory, E., Darby, H., Dawson, J., Hartman, A., Sorrells, M. 2024. Organic small grain production in the upper Midwest and Northeastern United States: Research challenges and lessons learned. Agronomy Journal. 116(6):2735-2753. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21658
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: 1. Allen, J, CJ Pelzer, B Brockmueller, EM Silva, and MR Ryan. 2023. No yield benefit from starter fertilizer in soybean no-till planted into rolled-crimped cereal rye. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 6, e20434. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20434
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: 1. Menalled, UD, RG Smith, S Cordeau, A DiTommaso, SJ Pethybridge, and MR Ryan. 2023. Phylogenetic relatedness can influence cover crop-based weed suppression. Scientific Reports 6(4), e20426. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43987-x
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: 1. Liebert, J, JH Cherney, QM Ketterings, SB Mirsky, CJ Pelzer, and MR Ryan. 2023. Winter cereal species, cultivar, and harvest timing affect trade-offs between forage quality and yield. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 7:96. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1067506

Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences reached during this reporting period were organic farmers in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast regions who grow grain crops (soybean, dry bean, small grains) as well as forages, and who have struggled with decreased profitability over the past several years due to challenges from extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or weaker markets. Our farmers benefitted by receiving education on no-till systems from field days, virtual workshops, farmer meetings, research presentations, and online videos. Farmers were able to view novel weed management tools like the Weed Zapper and Inter-row Mower. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has offered two undergraduate student researchers, and a visiting intern, the opportunity to learn about agriculture research within no-till organic systems. Two Masters students and a PhD student associated with this project graduated with their degrees in May 2023 from Cornell University. Research technicians have gained experience in refining sampling protocols and methods, weed identification, and organic no-till management techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been distributed through field days, farmer-advisory board meetings, scientific and farmer conferences, virtual conferences, and a no-till organic soybean growers guide. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data from the Living Mulch Corn, Inter-row Mowing, and Triticale for Soybeans experiments will be analyzed. A new post-doc will join the team to assist with data analysis and writing. We will host a farmer-advisory board meeting in winter 2024. The undergraduate course will be taught again, incorporating student feedback from previously.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. Major activities: "Living Mulch Corn": Two experiments in WI and one in New York (NY) tested the inter-row mower, a new weed management tool, in the context of a minimum-tillage living mulch system for growing organic corn. In NY, three living mulch legume cover crops with different combinations of strip tillage, forage harvest, and no-till management received inter-row mowing for in-season cover crop and weed control. In WI, an established stand of red clover and one of alfalfa were both strip-tilled for the living mulch system.Five treatments were established in each cover crop that created a gradient in management intensity. Treatments were no cover crop management, forage harvest, inter-row mowing, forage harvest combined with inter-row mowing, and a tilled control. "Inter-row mowing trial": A second experiment also tested the inter-row mower in the context of organic no-till planted dry beans in a cereal rye mulch, with different inter-row mowing strategies. Four treatments were: no mowing, early mowing, late mowing, and as-needed mowing. Pitfall funnel traps collected weed seed rain from each plot. 2) Data Collected: We measured corn development, vigor, living mulch biomass, dry bean emergence, crop and weed biomass, weekly seed rain amounts, and dry bean yield. 3) Results: Preliminary results from WI suggest that corn vigor measured through SPAD readings and crop development measured by growth stage was improved as the intensity in management increased.Utilization of the interrow mower did reduce living mulch biomass throughout the growing season.In NY, results are pending. Results pending for the mowing trial. 4) Key outcomes: Challenges to developing minimal tillage organic corn systems have prevented the expansion of no-till phases beyond soybeans.Organic farmers have expressed interest in alternative methods of minimizing tillage, thus exploring the inter-row mower in other crops will have benefit to understanding its best use. Testing the effect of the inter-row mower on weed seed rain can help us understand the impact of this new tool on weed seedbanks. The inter-row mower may not remove the entirety of the weed (i.e., simply mowing part of it), but it may still help decrease weed seed production. Objective 2 1) Major activities: Results from the completed 2-year project developing organic no-till crop sequences were disseminated to farmers and researchers. The PhD candidate managing the project defended and graduated. A final report detailing the project impact and results was created. Results from the project have been shared at academic conferences, farmer field days, and university seminars. A new experiment was implemented in NY to test key management factors that drive optimal yield in organic no-till corn. Treatments included cover crop (hairy vetch + cereal rye and hairy vetch + oats), corn seeding rate (15,000-60,000 pure live seed/acre), nitrogen rate (0-250 lb/ac N), and inter-row mowing vs none, in a split-split-plot, split-block format. The second year of the white mold study evaluated the effect of different planting rates of cereal rye cover crop on white mold suppression and performance of three main crops: dry bean, soybean, and sunflower at the Geneva NY research station. 2) Data Collected: For the corn yield experiment, we collected cover crop and weed biomass, corn population count, vetch regrowth, and will be collecting corn yield. In the white mold study, we collected crop yield and biomass and weed biomass. 3) Results: Results are forthcoming for the corn yield experiment. Initial results from both years of the white mold trial suggest the higher rate of rye significantly reduced white mold incidence in soybean but not in dry bean and sunflower. The amount of cereal rye also had a significant effect on the incidence of Phomopsis stem canker in sunflower in Year 2 (not observed in Year 1). 4) Key outcomes: The objective of the no-till sequences project was to address knowledge gaps and optimize management practices for organic no-till crop production. Having a more diverse set of cash crops that can be grown using organic no-till methods is an important step toward transitioning to a more continuous organic no-till crop production system. For the corn yield experiment we expect results will help inform optimal management combinations of corn seeding rate and nitrogen rate in no-till corn systems. For the white mold experiment, we anticipate summarizing all data and writing a refereed journal targeted extension articles over the winter of '23/24. Objective 3. Major activities: The second year of our experiment testing triticale termination methods for no-till soybean was repeated in NY and WI. Treatments were 1) forage harvest system with triticale harvested at boot stage then planting soybeans, 2) roller crimping system with soybeans planted into standing triticale at boot stage then roller crimping at 50% anthesis of triticale, 3) forage harvest system with inter-row mowing to manage weeds, 4) roller crimping system with inter-row mowing to manage weeds, and 5) cultivated control. 2) Data Collected: Triticale biomass, soybean emergence and development, soybean and weed biomass, soybean yield. 3) Results: Results from the first year of the experiment show that yields of no-till planted soybean were low relative to the tilled control at both sites, likely as a result of the dry conditions at planting in 2022. The forage treatment had the highest abundance of weeds, while the roller crimping treatments had the lowest abundance. 4) Key outcomes: Preliminary results indicate that inter-row mowing can reduce weed abundance and maintain yield when triticale is harvested for forage. However, research is needed to close the yield gap between no-till planted soybean and soybean planted into tilled soil. Objective 4. Major activities: Multiple events enabled education on no-till organic production. The OGRAIN Organic Grain Conference occurred on January 26-28, 2023. A workshop, "Regenerative Organic Gathering," highlighted the ongoing work in this project, focusing on organic no-till practices. Finally, two videos detailing adaptive management decisions in organic NT production and four videos of farmer testimonials were recorded and will be posted online in the coming season. Our project's farmer advisory board meeting in March 2023 was attended by 27 farmers, researchers, and project coordinators. Major topics included frost seeding, no-till planter set-ups, no-till peas, seed placement with different cover crops, and clover planted with small grains. Researchers shared data from field trials and invited farmer critique and questions. At the April 2023 NY Certified Organic meeting, we facilitated a round-table discussion, which hosted three local organic farmers who were using cover cropping practices. The farmers showed pictures and presented about using cover crops to reduce tillage and optimize organic reduced tillage systems. The on-farm field day ("Reducing Tillage and Adaptive Management in Organic Field Crop Systems ") at the Martens farm, Penn Yan, NY, was held in August, 2023. Both PI Ryan and PI Silva spoke about this project. The day included field tours of current no-till cover cropping practices implemented by the Martens, with 160 attendees present. 2) Data Collected: NA 3) Results: NA 4) Key outcomes: One of the main goals of our project is to lower the economic and labor burden on farmers from adopting no-till systems, thus increasing economic returns to rural communities. The project outreach components are critical to achieving this goal. Objective 5. Major activities completed: This class was not held during this reporting cycle, as it occurs every other year.

Publications

• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Allen J, Menalled UD, Adeux G, Pelzer CJ, Wayman S, Jernigan AB, Cordeau S, DiTommaso A, and Ryan MR. 2023. No yield benefit from starter fertilizer in soybean no-till planted into rolled- crimped cereal rye. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 6, e20434.
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Rowland, AV, UD Menalled, CJ Pelzer, LM Sosnoskie, A DiTommaso, and MR Ryan. 2023. High seeding rates, inter-row mowing, and electrocution for weed management in organic no-till planted soybean. Weed Science 1-42.
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Liebert J, SB Mirsky, CJ Pelzer, and MR Ryan. 2023. Optimizing organic no-till planted soybean with cover crop selection and termination timing. Agronomy Journal 115:19381956.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: 1. Menalled UD, S Wayman, CJ Pelzer, and MR Ryan. Nov 8, 2022. Crop sequences for organic no-till: weed suppression, crop establishment, and crop yields. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting. ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems. 38-3. 2. Rowland, AV, CJ Pelzer, LM Sosnoskie, A DiTommaso, and MR Ryan. Nov 8, 2022. Integrated weed management in organic no-till planted soybean. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting. ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems. 38-2. 3. Menalled UD, S Cordeau, A DiTommaso, RG Smith, MR Ryan. Feb 1, 2023. Do Cover Crops Affect Weed Community Structure? WSSA/NEWSS Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA. 4. Nguyen H, O Fisher, A Fox, K Loria, K Marini, CJ Pelzer, A Sharifi, D Varma, S Wayman, MR Ryan. Feb 1, 2023. Weed Suppression from Frost-seeded Brassicaceae Cover Crops. WSSA/NEWSS Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA. 5. Rowland, A, LM Sosnoskie, CJ Pelzer, MR Ryan. Feb 2, 2023. Electrical Weeding and Inter-row Mowing in Annual Crops. WSSA/NEWSS Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA. 6. Ryan, MR, J Allen, B Brockmueller, K Loria, E McFadden, UD Menalled, CJ Pelzer, SJ Pethybridge, A Rowland, A Sharifi, EM Silva, S Wayman, and E Youngerman. Feb 16, 2023. Taking Out Tillage with Cover Crops. Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting, Portland ME. 7. Allen J, A Rowland. March 30, 2023. Cropping systems: different paths to success. Graduate Field of Soil and Crop Sciences Soil and Crop Sciences seminar series, Cornell University, Ithaca NY.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Extension Pub 1. Workman K, Darby H, Ryan MR, Ristow A. 2023. Making cover crops work in the Northeast: Termination strategies for success. The Manager. Progressive Dairy. https://hdl.handle.net/1813/112843 2. Rowland A. 2023. Mowing, Zapping, and Outcompeting Weeds: Opportunities and Trade-Offs. GROW. https://growiwm.org/mowing-zapping-and-outcompeting-weeds-opportunities-and-tradeoffs/ 3. Menalled UD, Ryan MR. 2022. Searching for successful no-till crop sequences. Hudson Valley Farm Hub. https://hvfarmhub.org/searching-for-successful-no-till-crop-sequences/
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Extension presentation: 1. Silva E. Jan 3, 2023. Advances in Organic No-till Production. Regenerative Organic Summit, Scottsdale, AZ. 2. Ryan M. Jan 6, 2023. Cover crop research update. Oneida County Crop Congress. Waterville, NY. 3. Silva E. Jan 19-20, 2023. Organic No-Till Production Panel. Practical Farmers of IA, Ames, IA 4. Ryan M. Jan 27, 2023. Ecological Weed Management. Organic Grain Resource and Information Network Annual Meeting. Madison, WI. 5. Silva E. Feb 14, 2023. The Sweet Spot Between Organic and No-Till. Washington State SoilCon. 6. Ryan M. Feb 16, 2023. Taking out Tillage with Cover Crops. Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting. Portland, ME. 7. Silva E. Feb 21-22, 2023. Organic No-Till Production. Indiana Organic Conference, West Lafayette, IN. 8. Pethybridge, SJ. Mar 22, 2023. Towards a durable management strategy for white mold in dry beans in New York. NYS Dry Bean Council, Geneva, NY. 9. Loria K. March 27, 2023. Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab Updates. NYSHA Spring Meeting. 10. Loria K. April 4, 2023. Farmer Roundtable: Reducing Tillage in Organic Grain Rotations. NYCO Winter Field Crops Meeting. 11. Silva E. July 10, 2023. Research Plot Tour, Mechanical Weed Management Field Day, UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. 12. Ryan M. July 10, 2023. Tools for postemergence weed control. Organic Grain Resource and Information Network Equipment Field Day. Arlington, WI. 13. Ryan M. July 13, 2023. Cover crops for Sustainable Agriculture. Soil Health Field Day. Rodman Lott and Sons Farm. Seneca Falls, NY. 14. Silva E. July 20, 2023. Research Results Discussion, Farm Field Day, Keith Speltz Farm, Altura, MN. 15. Ryan M. August 24, 2023. Using cover crops to reduce tillage in organic crop production. Soil Health and Climate Resilience Field Day. Martens Farm. Penn Yan, NY. 16. Silva E. August 30, 2023. Research Plot Tour, UW Organic Ag Field Day, UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. 17. Pethybridge, SJ. Sept 26, 2023. Efficacy of products for white mold control in dry bean in New York. NYS Dry Bean Council Twilight Meeting, Geneva, NY.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: 1. Allen, J. May 2023. Organic cropping systems: optimization and long-term effects on weed communities. Cornell University. 2. Rowland, A. May 2023. Integrated Weed Management in Organic No-Till Planted Soybean. Cornell University. 3. Menalled, U. May 2023. Ecological Weed Management for Field Crop Production. Cornell University.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Reports: Wayman S, Menalled U, Ryan M. March 2023. Final Report: Taking tillage out of organic grain crop production. Hudson Valley Farm Hub and Cornell University Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab. Available at: https://hvfarmhub.org Poster presentations: Ryan, M. R., Allen, J., Brockmueller, B., Loria, K., McFadden, E., Menalled, U. D., Pelzer, C. J., Pethybridge, S. J., Rowland, A., Sharifi, A., Silva, E. M., Wayman, S., and Youngerman, E. 2023. Feb 16, 2023. Taking out tillage with cover crops. Proc. Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting, Portland, Maine. Poster Presentation.

Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period were organic farmers in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast regions who grow grain crops (soybean, dry bean, small grains) as well as forages, and who have struggled with decreased profitability over the past several years due to challenges from extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or weaker markets. Our farmers benefitted by receiving education on no-till systems from field days, virtual workshops, farmer meetings, research presentations, and online videos. Farmers were able to view novel weed management tools like the Weed Zapper and Inter-row Mower. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has offered five undergraduate student researchers an opportunity to learn about agriculture research within no-till organic systems. Two Masters students and one PhD student managed field experiments related to this project, gaining experience in study design, developing and refining protocols, and interfacing with stakeholders through demonstrations and field days. Research technicians have gained experience in refining sampling protocols and methods, weed identification, and organic no-till management techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been distributed through field days, farmer-advisory board meetings, scientific and farmer conferences, virtual conferences, and a no-till organic soybean growers guide. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The experiments New Crops for Organic No-till, Soybean Integrated Weed Management, and Starter Fertilizer will be written up and submitted to academic journals. Economic and labor analyses will be conducted and shared with farmers. We will hold a farmer-advisory board meeting in February 2023. Undergraduate student feedback from learning modules will be incorporated to further refine content. A farmer-hosted field day is being planned for 2023.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1 relates to optimizing new weed management tools for organic no-till soybean production. 1) Major activities completed: During this reporting period, we conducted the second year of the supplemental weed management study. Nine treatments featured high soybean seeding rates, inter-row mowing, weed zapping, and combinations of these treatments compared to a no-management control.All data are now collected and analyzed, and a journal article is in progress. 2) Data Collected: Cereal rye and weed species biomass, soybean biomass, and soybean yield and density. In 2022, visual estimates of weed cover and weed seed production and maximum seed production in control plots were also collected. 3) Results: the interrow mower suppressed weed biomass in all treatments compared to the control. The combination of the high seeding rate and interrow mower increased soybean yields compared to the control. 4) Key outcomes: Concerns about sole reliance on cover crop mulch for weed suppression and the inability to manage weeds has been cited by farmers as a limitation preventing greater adoption of organic no-till soybean. This research provides insight into the role of specialized weed-management equipment for this system. Objective 2 relates to developing an organic reduced-tillage cropping system that decreases soil disturbance, with activities a) reduced-tillage rotation experiment, b) new crops for organic no-till, c) white mold suppression experiment. Major activities completed: Our 2-year project (32 no-till and 8 tilled cash crop sequences) to develop organic no-till crop sequences was completed, with a trial for winter and summer cash crops. Across all summer cash crop treatments, we also established microplots with supplemental weeding and fertility. The second year of the white mold study evaluated the effect of cereal rye biomass on both white mold suppression and performance of three main crops: dry bean, soybean, and sunflower at the Geneva NY research station. Data Collected: We assessed weed suppression, crop establishment and crop yield in differing cover crop mulches. For the white mold study we collected crop yield and biomass and weed biomass. Results: Winter cash crops struggled to emerge through high biomass mulches. Summer cash crop emergence was relatively unaffected by mulch biomass, and the high biomass mulches suppressed the most weeds. Across all treatments, no-till yields were comparable to the tilled control in at least one cover crop mulch. Results are forthcoming from the white mold trial. Key outcomes: By comparing the cover crop mulches to the tilled control, we described the potential of each no-till crop sequence. Having a more diverse set of cash crops that can be grown using organic no-till methods is an important step towards longer durations without tillage and a transition to continuous organic no-till crop production. Using cereal rye mulch for soybean, sunflower, and drybean is promising as a long-term potential solution for reducing white mold in no-till and organic production systems. Objective 3 included a series of research trials to improve decision making in organic no-till soybean. Major activities completed: To help inform fertilizer requirements for the decision support tools, an experiment with roll-down soybean and three starter fertilizer treatments was repeated at the Musgrave Research Farm (NY) and the Arlington Agricultural Research Station (WI). Poultry litter (5-4-3), feather meal (8-2-2), and sodium nitrate (15-0-2) treatments were compared to a control with no fertilizer. To guide decision making around no-till soybean planting options, an experiment examined alternatives to planting soybeans at anthesis using two different triticale termination methods. Treatments were 1) Triticale forage harvested at boot stage, 2) triticale terminated with a roller crimper at anthesis, 3) no-cover crop control. Soybeans were planted in all treatments at triticale boot stage in late May. Data Collected: For the fertilizer study, cover crop biomass, soybean growth stage, stand counts, height, leaf greenness and yield, and weed biomass were measured.For the triticale study, weed prevalence, soybean development, and soybean grain yield were collected. Results: Neither starter fertilizer application nor source of fertility resulted in a significant difference in plant stand, soybean biomass, or soybean grain yield. In the triticale experiment, the forage harvested treatment had substantially higher weed pressure because ground cover was removed as compared to the roller crimped and cultivated control treatments. Key outcomes: Results from the fertilizer study suggest that using starter fertilizer for soybeans in rolled rye will not reliably offset the cost. This management consideration will be useful to includein our roll-down soybean decision support tools. For the triticale study, weed suppression was enhanced by roller crimping triticale at anthesis, although soybean plant stand was reduced due to the extended time in which soybeans grew underneath the standing triticale canopy. Objective 4 focused on outreach to facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning on organic no-till production. Major activities completed: We continued to distribute hard copies of the Organic No-till Soybean guide to farmers and researchers throughout the Northeast. The guide was posted on the Sustainable Cropping Systems website, as well as on the Hudson Valley Farm Hub website. An OGRAIN (Organic Grain Resources and Information Network) conference pre-event focused on farmer-to-farmer information sharing on January 27, 2022. The OGRAIN list serve continued to be a way for farmers to share organic no-till information and experiences. A farmer advisory board meeting was held for the project on February 18, 2022 with 18 participants. We are still working on the education modules, learning experiences, and international summit. The international summit is being planned for during the 2023 Agronomy Society of America meeting. Data Collected: NA Results: NA Key outcomes: A video on cover crops and cash crop sequences for organic no-till was posted on the Hudson Valley Farm Hub's website to introduce farmers to the experiment. Another video highlighted the inter-row mower, a novel tool for managing weeds in organic soybean systems, and reached 1.4 thousand views. Objective 5 focused on incorporating no-till crop production topics in undergraduate and graduate student curriculum. Major activities completed: A module about organic no-till was developed and delivered in PLSCS 3800 (Principles and Practices in Certified Organic Agricultural) at Cornell University. Students in PLSCI 4125/6125 (Cover Crops in Agroecosystems) at Cornell University learned about the relationship between crop seed size and emergence by conducting a greenhouse experiment and measuring seedling emergence across several planting depths. Data Collected: NA Results: NA Key outcomes: The greenhouse experiment in PLSCI 4125/6125 was shared with other educators and conducted at six universities. In the course at Cornell, students learned about the history of organic agriculture, the USDA National Organic Program, management practices used in organic crop and livestock production, and scientific research on organic agriculture. Laboratory sessions complemented lecture discussions with fieldwork and trips to a variety of organic farms.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Menalled UD, Adeux G, Cordeau S, Smith RG, Mirsky SB, Ryan MR. 2022. Cereal rye mulch biomass and crop density affect weed suppression and community assembly in no-till planted soybean. Ecosphere 13(6): e4147.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ryan, MR. 2021. Crops better when grown together. Nature Sustainability 4:926-927.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Menalled, UD, MR Ryan, and SJ Pethybridge. January 5, 2021. Organic no-till soybean seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization effects on weed suppression. Proceedings of the Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. 75:89.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Pelzer, CJ, S Wayman, J Cagle, U Menalled, CA Peterson, TJ Rose, and MR Ryan. November 8, 2021. Rolled-Crimped Summer-Sown Cover Crops for No-till Planted Organic Winter Wheat. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/135466

Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period were organic farmers in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast regions who grow grain crops as well as forages, and who have struggled with decreased profitability over the past several years due to challenges stemming from extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or weaker markets. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has offered four undergraduate student researchers an opportunity to learn about agriculture research within no-till organic systems. Two MS students and one PhD student managed field experiments related to this project. These students gained experience in study design, developing and refining protocols, and interfacing with stakeholders through demonstrations and field days. Research technicians have gained experience in refining sampling protocols and methods, weed identification, and organic no-till management techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been distributed through field days, farmer-advisory board meetings, scientific and farmer conferences, virtual conferences, and a no-till organic soybean growers guide. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: The Self-Seeding Cereal Rye in Organic Soybean experiment will be initiated. The second year of data will be collected for the Supplemental Weed Management experiment. Data will be analyzed from the first year of work. Objective 2: The Reduced-tillage Rotation experiment will be implemented. New Crops for Organic No-till and the white mold experiment will be repeated for a second year. Data will be analyzed from the first year of work. Economic and labor analyses will be conducted. Objective 3: Plans will be discussed with farmers and on-farm trials will be initiated based on farmer interest. Rye growth data will be used to inform planning decision support tools. Objective 4: We will hire a new post-doc to lead these activities. The organic no-till soybean production guide will continue to be disseminated. Preliminary data from experiments will be shared at a winter farmer meeting. We will meet with our project advisory board in February 2022. Objective 5: Experiential learning activities will be tested, undergraduate course modules will be planned and tested.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. 1. Although this experiment has not yet been implemented, a YardMax Power Sweeper was used for a proof-of-concept test to explore promoting self-seeding in a cereal rye cover crop. The goal of using the power sweeper was to dislodge the cereal rye seed heads from the cover crop and promote a second cereal rye cover crop through self-seeding. 2. Visual observation of performance of power sweeper in cereal rye mulch. 3. We observed that the power sweeper dislodged seeds from cereal rye seed heads. No difference between brush angles was seen. 4. Working with the power sweeper is a step towards understanding if self-seeding can be promoted for the roll-down organic soybean system. Little information exists about what can be used to promote self-seeding of cereal rye mulch after roller-crimping. Activity 1b. 1. In September 2020, the supplemental weed management study was initiated at the Musgrave research farm in Aurora, NY. Nine treatments in the experiment featured high soybean seeding rates, inter-row mowing, weed zapping, and combinations of these treatments compared against a no-management control. Cereal rye was planted for upcoming experiments in 2022. 2. Cereal rye and weed species biomass, soybean biomass, and soybean yield and density were collected. 3. Nothing to report. 4. Concerns about sole reliance on cover crop mulch for weed suppression and the inability to manage weeds, especially if cereal rye biomass production is low, has been cited by farmers as a critical limitation preventing greater adoption of organic no-till soybean. This research will provide important insight into the role of specialized weed-management equipment to help address this limitation. Objective 2. Activity 2a. No accomplishments for this reporting period. Activity 2b. 1. A field experiment testing the efficacy of various rotations for organic no-till was implemented at two sites, the Musgrave Research Farm and the Hudson Valley Farm Hub (Hurley, NY). 2. Weed communities, and crop biomass and yield were sampled. Crop pests were monitored, and crop roots were assessed to study crop disease. 3. Preliminary analysis of cover crop biomass showed that cereal rye produced the most biomass and hairy vetch the least biomass. Weed biomass was lowered by cover crop biomass with an exponential reduction in weed biomass around 2,500 and 5,000 lbs/ac of cover crop biomass.Weed community analysis suggests that cover crop species affect weed community composition. 4. The goal of this work is to give farmers more flexibility when designing no-till crop rotations, facilitating the adoption of organic no-till. Activity 2c. 1. The white mold study was initiated to evaluate the effect of cereal rye biomass on both white mold suppression and performance of three main crops: dry bean, soybean, and sunflower at the Geneva NY research station in fall 2021. Treatments were two seeding rates of rye and a bare-soil control, with sunflower, soybean, and dry bean. Next year, the plots will be inoculated with white mold sclerotia. A sister trial was initiated to explore trade-offs with black bean plant populations, weed infestations, and white mold, involving five black bean seeding rates ranging from 100,000 seeds/acre to 350,000 seeds/acre. 2. No data collection this reporting period. 3. NA 4. Using cereal rye mulch for soybean, sunflower, and drybean is promising as a long-term potential solution for reducing white mold in no-till and organic production systems. Exploring dry bean seeding rates in rolled-crimped cereal rye mulch is important because performance may be enhanced by increasing the seeding rate in no-till cereal rye, similar to what has been quantified in soybean. Objective 3. 1. To help inform fertilizer requirements for the decision support tools, an experiment with roll-down soybean and three starter fertilizer treatments was initiated at the Musgrave Research Farm (NY) in June 2020 and replicated at the Arlington Research Farm (WI) and Musgrave Farm in 2021. Poultry litter (5-4-3), feather meal (8-2-2), and sodium nitrate (15-0-2) treatments were compared to a control with no fertilizer. A soybean seeding depth experiment was replicated at the Musgrave (2019 and 2020) and Arlington (2021) research farms with five seeding depth treatments ranging from 0.25 inches to 3.25 inches deep. Cereal rye was established at a collaborating field site, the Hudson Valley Farm Hub, for a dry bean seeding rate trial into rolled rye for 2022. 2. Data collection included cover crop biomass, soybean growth stage, stand counts, height, leaf greenness and yield, and weed biomass. 3. Preliminary results suggest there were no significant differences in soybean biomass, stand counts, or yields between fertilizer treatments. For the seeding depth study, in 2020 (a dry year), soybeans planted at deeper depths had higher plant density and soybean grain yield, whereas in 2019 (a normal moisture year) there was no influence of seeding depth on soybean grain yield. 4. Our results suggest that using starter fertilizer for soybeans in rolled rye will not offset the cost. Given our seeding depth results, we concluded that the no-till rolldown soybean system does not do well in dry years, likely due to a lack of good seed-to-soil contact. However, increased soil moisture in wet years improves seed-to-soil contact. This management consideration will be useful to include in our roll-down soybean decision support tools. Good planting equipment to achieve sufficient depth is important for the success of the system in dry years. Objective 4. 1. "Organic No-Till Planted Soybean Production: A guide for organic farmers in New York State" was printed and 297 copies were distributed to farmers, extension educators, and researchers in NY and WI. To create content for extension tools and farmer education events, work was begun on an APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator) model to explore questions on no-till soybean yield gaps. Early work involved configuring APSIM for the conditions and management practices at the Musgrave Research Farm and running simulations with soybean yields and soil moisture in tilled/no-till treatments. 2. Data from multiple previous experiments on cereal rye biomass and soybean yield were collated and cleaned. 3. Work will continue when a new post-doc has been hired for the team. 4. Results from the APSIM model will help inform management standards for cover crop and soil moisture management. Objective 5. 1. A farmer-advisor board meeting was held in April 2021 to develop relationships with our farmers and collaborators. The meeting included research updates from organic no-till experiments in NY, PA, and WI, in addition to receiving feedback on our Organic No-Till Soybean Guide for NY, exploring ways farmers can engage in research trials, and discussing support tools for no-till. On Sept 13, 2021, an on-farm meeting was held with two members of our farmer-advisory board. The farmer's brainstormed ideas about reduced-till rotation management that included inter-row mowing, strip tillage in corn, trade-offs of harvesting summer annuals vs. returning the crop to the soil, and ways to improve buckwheat biomass production. We are currently planning another advisory board meeting for February 2022. 2. NA 3. NA 4. Building relationships with our farmer advisors will help us better develop modules and learning activities for the future.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Wallace, JM, ME Barbercheck, WS Curran, CL Keene, SB Mirsky, MR Ryan, M VanGessel. 2021. Cover crop-based, rotational no-till (CCORNT) management tactics influence crop performance in organic transition within the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Agronomy Journal 113: 5335 5347.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: 10. Menalled, UD, SJ Pethybridge, CJ Pelzer, RG Smith, A DiTommaso, and MR Ryan. 2021. High seeding rates and low soil nitrogen environments optimize weed suppression and profitability in organic no-till planted soybean. Frontiers in Agronomy 3:678567.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: MR Ryan, S Wayman, CJ Pelzer, CA Peterson, UD Menalled, and TJ Rose. 2021. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tolerance to mulch. Plants 10:2047.
• Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ryan, MR, BA Caldwell, K Crowley, JA Liebert, U Menalled, CJ Pelzer, L Pickard, and S Wayman. 2021. Organic No-Till Planted Soybean Production. Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. https://bit.ly/ontsguide
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Menalled, U., M.R. Ryan, S. Pethybridge. Organic no-till soybean seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization effects on weed suppression. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting. ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems. Virtual event, Nov. 9-13, 2020. 126271.