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Burning corn residue?

TheBig8

TheBig8

Member
Getting started on a CRP planting this spring and unfortunately the crop it's following is chopped corn with lots of residue on the ground. Would burning that residue off he worthwhile or should I just drill right through it? I'm afraid the first year growth may be inhibited by so much ground cover.
 
Burning: ground will be blackened, and soil temps will rise for germination of seed. If it turns dry, might lose moisture for germination/young plants.

Not burning: Corn litter will act as mulch. Will prevent erosion and evaporation of soil moisture.

Tough call, advantages to both approaches.
 
Agree with JNR...that guy gets it! :) But I will add that in my experience, if you are relying on a local farmer to later plant your corn...they hate working burned ground. That is from a limited sample size, 2 different farmers, but I once burned off some stalks in preparation for spring planting and the otherwise very friendly farmer expressed a serious dislike for my actions. :) His rationale was that the burn residue would then make a royal mess of things when he later worked the ground and planted corn on my behalf.

Black dust in his cab, plugged air filter(s), filthy equipment, etc. So, since then I have only burned off corn stalks if I am then going to work that "black" ground first. Just a thought, maybe my guy, and his brother, aren't the norm???
 
Daver said:
Agree with JNR...that guy gets it! :) But I will add that in my experience, if you are relying on a local farmer to later plant your corn...they hate working burned ground. That is from a limited sample size, 2 different farmers, but I once burned off some stalks in preparation for spring planting and the otherwise very friendly farmer expressed a serious dislike for my actions. :) His rationale was that the burn residue would then make a royal mess of things when he later worked the ground and planted corn on my behalf.

Black dust in his cab, plugged air filter(s), filthy equipment, etc. So, since then I have only burned off corn stalks if I am then going to work that "black" ground first. Just a thought, maybe my guy, and his brother, aren't the norm???
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It's going into a 10 year CRP rotation, I don’t think much of that black residue will be around the next time this dirt gets row cropped.
 
IowaBowHunter1983 said:
Chopped corn usually isn't much resue at all since they take the stalk and all. Id drill as is
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Maybe I used the wrong term, it was harvested with a combine, there is plenty of residue. Total ground coverage.

ETA - I did use the wrong term, this field was "cut" not "chopped".
 
TheBig8 said:
Getting started on a CRP planting this spring and unfortunately the crop it's following is chopped corn with lots of residue on the ground. Would burning that residue off he worthwhile or should I just drill right through it? I'm afraid the first year growth may be inhibited by so much ground cover.
Click to expand...
2 reasons why you shouldn’t burn:

Lots of your nutrients are tied up in that residue, burn it and well it’s gone forever. CRP seedlings will all have nutrient uptake therefor you’ll need to replace that nutrient lost from burning somehow, unlikely your soil is loaded with nutrient based off the idea you’re enrolling it into a CRP program…..

2, which is pry the most important. That residue will keep your soil in place while your CRP seedlings are growing. Even if you’re drilling your seed in, which can be difficult with those seeds varieties, you’ll want that residue there to protect the soil that’s covering that seed until it gets a good shot of moisture to germinate it. The best stands of alfalfa I’ve grown have followed corn stalk residue compared to bare soil/bean stubble, CRP going to be the same results. Residue is your friend in this case, don’t get rid of it.
 
Image of the field to give an idea how much residue is there.
20250320_192011.jpg
 
TheBig8 said:
Image of the field to give an idea how much residue is there. View attachment 129607
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Seed to soil contact is huge with CRP planting, if you’re using a drill like stated above; you’ll be golden. Residue is your friend in these situations. I also wouldn’t worry what the first year looks like, it’s the following that is I’ll tell the story. Good luck. Looks like you’ve already got a heck of a good stand of grass around this field already. This one shouldn’t be any different.
 
I personally did a new 120 acres of crp into a cut corn / drowned out bean field (basically black dirt) 5 or 6 years ago. Let's say it was 1/2 corn and 1/2 beans

That particular year the corn was on the lesser ground. ( Kind of a sand deposot)

The crp on the cut corn was significantly better than the drown out bean field. Far less weeds. The stocks acted like a weed mat.

Ist year didn't look amazing and I was wondering. 2nd year took off.

Oh and I just broadcast with a 3pt seeder and cultipacked.
 
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