Evaluating Small Mammal Populations and their Response to Cover Crop Management.

Cover crops have been implemented to help decrease loss of soil to erosion, improve soil quality, and act as a part of an integrated weed management strategy. Adoption rates have been high across the country but has created a situation where quality small mammal habitat is now present within agricultural fields during times traditionally void of habitat. This situation has caused issues for crop establishment, particularly for soybean producers, in several areas of the Midwest and Midsouth. Unfortunately, little is understood about the extent of damage caused by small mammals or any techniques to limit or control these populations within agricultural fields. Within this agricultural setting, logistics to address the problem with typical methods used for rodent control is complicated due to restrictions associated with rodenticide application within production fields. To counter that issue, an integrated pest management strategy may be necessary for success in limiting small mammal populations and their damage to growing plants. In an attempt to counter this wildlife damage issue, we propose to conduct field-based experiment altering timing of cover crop termination while monitoring small mammal populations with an overarching goal to produce and educate producers with best management practices relating to small mammals in cover crops. The project will have 2 distinct segments within the two years. Year 1 will determining the best practices for producers to implement then in year 2 we will create extension publications, offer webinars, and provide field day and county level trainings and education using the results.