Farmers explore whether fertilized rye can improve corn performance and soil health
Cover crops continue to gain attention among farmers looking to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and manage weeds. One Wisconsin farm research project is exploring whether adding nitrogen to rye cover crops in spring can increase these benefits while also supporting corn production.
Farmers Jim Stute and Tom Novak first became interested in the idea after noticing unusual patches of rye growing in their fields. These areas were darker green and taller than the surrounding rye. The farmers suspected the extra growth was caused by deer urine, which naturally contains nitrogen.
The observation raised an important question. If small amounts of nitrogen from deer could boost rye growth, would apply nitrogen intentionally increase rye biomass across an entire field?
Larger rye plants could provide several advantages for farmers. More biomasses may improve weed suppression by creating a thicker residue layer on the soil surface. It could also contribute to better soil structure, increased organic matter, improved water management, and stronger conservation outcomes.
To investigate the concept, Stute applied for and received support through the 2025 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP). The project focuses on understanding how nitrogen applied to rye might affect both the cover crop and the following corn crop.
Working together, Stute and Novak want to determine whether applying nitrogen to rye in early spring changes the amount of fertilizer needed by no-till corn later in the season. They are also interested in whether the practice can help address the slight corn yield reduction that some growers occasionally experience after planting corn following rye, even when the rye is terminated on time.
The research reflects a growing interest in finding ways to better integrate cover crops into corn production systems. While rye delivers many environmental and soil benefits, farmers continue to look for management practices that maximize those advantages without affecting crop yields.
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for crop growth, and understanding how it moves through both the cover crop and the cash crop system could help farmers make more informed decisions. If rye can effectively use spring-applied nitrogen and later release some of it for corn growth, the practice could improve nutrient efficiency across the farm.
Stute is no stranger to on-farm research. He has participated in multiple Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program projects and believes the program provides valuable opportunities for farmers to answer practical questions under real farming conditions.
According to Stute, one of the greatest benefits of the program is that it allows farmers to conduct meaningful research on their own land while receiving support for the additional work involved. Field experiments often require extra planning, monitoring, and data collection during already busy seasons.
“You get paid to experiment on your own farm. When you’re compensated for doing it, you pay much closer attention to it and make sure to complete it, even with so many competing tasks during the busy fall season,” said Jim. “Getting data from multiple regions, farms, and soil types is important for getting better N rate recommendations and farmer acceptance.”
Stute also believes collaboration is critical to advancing nitrogen management practices. Data collected from different regions, farming operations, and soil types can provide a broader understanding of how management decisions perform under various conditions.
By combining information from multiple farms, researchers and producers can develop recommendations that are more practical and widely applicable. This approach can also help increase farmer confidence when adopting new practices.
The study highlights the value of farmer-led innovation and real-world experimentation. As growers face evolving production challenges, projects like this provide useful insights into how cover crops and nutrient management can work together to support long-term farm productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship.