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Calcimator

Cover Crop Biomass Calculator

Estimate above-ground biomass, carbon contribution, and nitrogen credits from cover crop species based on growing degree days.

Inputs

%

Results

Biomass (lb/ac dry matter)

1,192

Total biomass (lb)11,920
Carbon added (lb C/ac)501
N credit (lb N/ac)9.1
Fertilizer value ($)$55.00
Weed SuppressionFair
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the cover crop species and seeding rate in lbs per acre.
  2. Input the stand density (plants per square foot) from field counts.
  3. Set the growth stage at termination and the days of growth.
  4. Review the Estimated Biomass in lbs per acre and the Nitrogen Contribution in lbs per acre.
  5. Use the Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio output to predict decomposition rate and nutrient release timing.

How the result changes with Growing degree days (base 32F)

Growing degree days (base 32F)Biomass (lb/ac dry matter)
300110
1,0503,208
1,9509,770
2,7009,994

What each input means

Cover crop species
1=Cereal Rye, 2=Crimson Clover, 3=Tillage Radish, 4=Winter Pea, 5=Hairy Vetch.
Growing degree days (base 32F)
Accumulated GDD since planting (base 32°F / 0°C).
Seeding rate (% of recommended)
Percent of standard seeding rate. Over-seeding caps benefit at ~120%.
Field size (acres)
Total acres planted to this cover crop.

What each result means

Biomass (lb/ac dry matter)
Estimated above-ground dry matter production per acre.
Total biomass (lb)
Total dry matter across all acres.
Carbon added (lb C/ac)
Approximate carbon returned to soil from biomass (42% of dry matter).
N credit (lb N/ac)
Total nitrogen from biomass decomposition plus legume fixation.
Fertilizer value ($)
Estimated value of nitrogen credit at $0.60/lb N.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Cover crop species = 1, Growing degree days (base 32F) = 800, Seeding rate (% of recommended) = 100, Field size (acres) = 10 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Biomass
    1192 = 1192
  3. Calculate Total biomass
    Total biomass = biomassPerAcre * acreage
    11920 = 11920
  4. Calculate Carbon added
    Carbon added = biomassPerAcre * 0.42
    501 = 501

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