Is Continuous Corn a Sustainable Practice in Michigan Farming

By Andi Anderson

Continuous corn, also known as corn-on-corn rotation, remains a popular practice on Michigan farms, particularly among livestock and dairy operations that rely on corn silage.

While this strategy ensures a steady feed supply, it raises important concerns about long-term sustainability, profitability, and soil health.

A key issue in continuous corn systems is the reduction in yields compared to diversified crop rotations. These losses are often due to nutrient stress, soil residue challenges, and increased disease pressure.

Nitrogen, critical for corn, must be managed carefully with tools like starter fertilizer, side-dress applications, and possibly nitrogen stabilizers. Manure use helps but may not fully meet crop needs due to its slower nutrient release.

Residue management also becomes a concern. Corn leaves behind significant plant material, especially problematic in Michigan’s cool, wet springs, slowing seedling growth and inviting diseases. Cereal rye, a popular cover crop, is often planted post-harvest to improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and manage moisture. However, it doesn’t fully replace the benefits of rotating crops like soybeans or wheat.

Continuous corn also leads to greater fungal disease risks, including tar spot, northern corn leaf blight, and gray leaf spot, which thrive on corn residue. This may force farmers to rely more on fungicides, increasing economic strain.

Despite these challenges, managing continuous corn effectively is possible, but it demands close attention to scouting, nutrient planning, and disease control. Some farmers manage rye as spring forage, harvesting before planting soybeans—thus breaking the corn cycle and giving the soil a break.

Experts at Michigan State University Extension recommend exploring diverse rotations and alternative feed sources to reduce long-term risks. Tools like rye cover crops help but cannot replace the resilience and soil health benefits of full crop rotation systems.

For more guidance, MSU Extension offers resources on cover crops, rotation planning, and alternative dairy feed options to support sustainable crop systems in Michigan.

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