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August 2004
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Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-106)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-106)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop ahead of corn. Planting cover crops prior to corn requires a different set of management considerations than planting them prior to soybean.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Educate yourself. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on your purpose and objectives. Visit https://www.midwestcovercrops.org for many helpful resources.
- Soybean variety and planting—If possible, plant the preceding soybean crop early and use an early maturity soybean cultivar. One strategy is to use your earliest-maturity-group soybeans on the fields where you plan to seed cover crops and plant those beans first.
- Residual soybean herbicides—Because oats are very tolerant of most soybean residual herbicides, few restrictions apply unless grazing is being considered. Radish is more sensitive and will likely be harmed if ALS-type (group 2) or PPO-type (group 14) herbicides are used in the soybean cropping season. (See Resources.)
- Seed purchase—Order cover crop seed early. Named oat varieties grow well but are more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed. Work with a reputable seed dealer and choose high-quality seed that has been cleaned, tested for germination and weed seed contamination, and ideally has a seed tag. Although usually more expensive than oat seed, spring barley can be used. For cover crop radishes (daikon type), be sure to purchase a single variety from a reputable seed dealer since mixed varieties may bolt or go to seed rather than producing the desired large amounts of biomass and roots. (Note: Oats/radish alone will winterkill, so this recipe is intended to be a simple option for those interested in beginning with cover crops. But non-winterkill options, such as planting triticale or winter barley, can be incorporated. Remember that this will add an extra level of management, though, because you would have to terminate those cover crops in the spring.)
Fall Work
- Soybean harvest—Harvest fields where a mix of spring oats/radish are to be planted as early as possible.
- Timing of planting—Ideally, plant oats/radish immediately after harvest. In most of Illinois, this should occur by mid-September. See Selector Tool (in Resources section) for more precise dates for your county.
- Planting method—Drill to a depth of 0.25–0.50 inch or broadcast, but note that incorporation of the seed, if any, should be light since excessive disturbance of soybean stubble may reduce any erosion benefit of the cover crop. See Resources for more details on seeding methods.
- Seeding rate in oats/radish mix—Drilled: oats, 25–60 lbs./acre; radish, 1–3 lbs./acre. Broadcast: oats, 35–65 lbs./acre; radish, 2–4 lbs./acre.
- Aerial seeding or overseeding—An alternative to seeding after harvest is to do aerial seeding with a plane or helicopter or overseeding with a ground-based vehicle before harvest. In most of Illinois, seeding should take place in late August or by the first week of September and before 25% of the soybean leaves have yellowed and dropped. Rainfall after seeding is essential for establishment.
- Seeding rate for overseeding—For oats: 40–60 lbs./acre; for radish: 2–4 lbs./acre.
- Tillage, fertility, or liming—To allow for adequate cover crop growth, it is best if no full-width tillage takes place after seeding and before killing frost. If applying N, P, K, or lime, complete the application prior to the seeding operation or apply to the growing oats/radish before the ground freezes. On fields that are not highly erodible (slope 0–2%), fall strip-tillage is a viable option to apply fertility and reduce the potential effect of a cold and wet spring under moderate to heavy residue. If it is necessary to inject N fertilizer or manure in the fall, a low-disturbance applicator should be used to minimize reduction in surface residues. Any nitrogen added in the fall should include an inhibitor and should not be applied until the soil temperature is below 50°F.
Spring Work
- Starter fertilizer—Strongly consider equipping your corn planter with 2×2 starter fertilizer or making a broadcast N application near planting, aiming for a fertilizer rate of 30–50 pounds of actual N per acre. A preplant anhydrous ammonia application is also a viable option, but a delay in N utilization may occur until the corn grows roots toward the knife tracks. Use the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator determine the total amount of N you should apply for an optimal return on investment.
- Strip-tillage— In high residue environments on fields that are not highly erodible, spring strip-tillage is an option to avoid the agronomic impacts of a cold and wet spring on corn production.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool available from the Midwest Cover Crops Council
Considerations for First Time Cover Crop Adopters (Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council publication)
Post Corn, Going to Soybean: Use Cereal Rye (Illinois Cover Crop Recipe series, MCCC-105), available from the Midwest Cover Crops Council
Managing Cover Crops: An Introduction to Integrating Cover Crops into a Corn-Soybean Rotation (Purdue Extension publication AY-353-W)
Residual Herbicides and Fall Cover Crop Establishment (Purdue Extension Weed Science publication)
Terminating Cover Crops: Successful Cover Crop Termination with Herbicides (Purdue Extension publication WS-50-W)
Conservation Cropping System for Corn-Bean No-Till (American Farmland Trust Publication)
Conservation Cropping System for Corn-Bean Till (American Farmland Trust Publication)
Authors
Jennifer Woodyard, University of Illinois Extension; Nathan Johanning, University of Illinois Extension; Shalamar Armstrong, Purdue University (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Marisol Berti, North Dakota State University; Pete Fandel, Illinois Central College; Lowell Gentry, University of Illinois; Tom Kaspar, USDA–Agricultural Research Service (retired); Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University; Anna Morrow, Midwest Cover Crops Council; Dean Oswald, Midwest Grass and Forage; and Kris Reynolds, American Farmland Trust
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
Revised May 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2019 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-131)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
This recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating a cereal rye cover crop into a corn silage–soybean rotation.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Educate yourself. Go to field days, learn from farmers who are currently planting cover crops, read about cover crops, check out University of Minnesota cover crop research, and work with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District. Start small and be timely. Consult with your crop insurance representative to ensure planned practices will not affect your insurance coverage.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn silage crop early and use a hybrid adapted to your location.
- Residual corn herbicides—Manage for optimal weed control. Apply a preemergence herbicide to help control troublesome weeds such as waterhemp, which emerges over a long period of time and late in the season, or weeds that are resistant to key postemergence herbicides. Cereal rye can tolerate most residual corn herbicides applied earlier in the season, but if the rye will be grazed or used for forage, you must follow rotational restrictions listed on the label of any applied herbicides. (See Managing Risk When Using Herbicides).
- Seed purchase—Order cereal rye seed early from a reputable source. Use good-quality tagged seed that has been cleaned and tested for germination and weed seed contamination. Named varieties can produce greater growth and have more predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed. Utilize University of Minnesota field crop variety trial results for winter rye in variety selection, and consider forage quality if you intend to harvest the cereal rye for forage.
Fall Work
- Corn silage harvest—Prioritize fields where cereal rye is to be planted.
- Tillage, manure, fertilizer, and lime—Generally, cover crops are more successful in no-tillage or strip-tillage systems. For best rye establishment, any manure, fertilizer, or lime should be injected, subsurface-banded, or surface-applied and incorporated before planting the cover crop. Manure can be injected with a low-disturbance applicator after the cereal rye is seeded, preferably after the cereal rye has reached 4 inches in height, although the cover crop may be damaged.
- Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye by mid-September and as soon as possible after corn silage harvest to optimize biomass production. Try to time seeding before a rain.
- Seeding rate—If drilling cereal rye (preferred for best establishment), use a minimum seeding rate of 55 lbs./acre of pure live seed (PLS). If broadcasting without incorporation, increase the rate to a minimum of 83 lbs./acre of PLS. Ensure that your seeding rate complies with any cost-share standards from a funding agency, if applicable. Consider increasing the seeding rate to increase forage yield.
- Planting method—Drill seed to a depth of 0.75–1.50 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation. Aerial seeding into standing corn once corn reaches the R5 (dent) stage is another option, but this carries more risk of poor establishment than drilling.
the previous fall after corn silage harvest at the University of
Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
(Lizabeth Stahl)
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate cereal rye in the spring when plants are actively growing and are no more than 12 inches tall. Terminating cereal rye at least 10 days prior to planting is a standard recommendation, especially under dry/drought conditions. Terminating at or just before planting will allow for more cover crop growth, but this practice carries more risk. Cereal rye can grow quickly in warm weather and be more difficult to control once it reaches the boot stage or is taller than 18 inches. Consult your crop insurance agent and check USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines to ensure you are in compliance with rules on termination timing.
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (minimum of 1 lb. acid equivalent/acre) after dormancy breaks in the spring. Termination is most effective and rapid when cereal rye is actively growing, applications are made on a sunny day at least four hours prior to sunset, and air temperatures are >60°F during the day and >40°F at night. Rye sprayed past the boot stage or during colder weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, or will die more slowly.
- Soybean planting—Most modern planters and drills are fully capable of planting soybeans into a dead or dying cereal rye cover crop. If cereal rye was drilled, planting soybean between rye rows is ideal. If cereal rye termination is delayed, it may be better to plant into standing green plants versus large plants that are dead or dying and that have fallen onto the soil surface, forming a thick mat of residue. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure in case any planter adjustments are needed.
- Scouting after planting—Scout for soybean emergence, population, insect pests, and weeds. Substantial rye residue may delay weed emergence, ultimately delaying postemergence herbicide application.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool — available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
University of Minnesota Extension Cover Crops website
USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (version 4: June 2019)
Minnesota Field Crop Variety Trials (University of Minnesota)
Managing Risk When Using Herbicides and Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean (University of Minnesota Extension)
Spring Management of Cover Crops (University of Minnesota Extension)
Authors
Lizabeth Stahl, Anna Cates, and Axel Garcia y Garcia, University of Minnesota Extension (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Chryseis Modderman and Troy Salzer, University of Minnesota Extension; and Nathan Weise, East Otter Tail SWCD
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the U.S. Midwest and Ontario by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
September 2022 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2021 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-130)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
This recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating a cereal rye cover crop after corn silage harvest and before corn for grain or silage.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Educate yourself. Go to field days, learn from farmers who are currently planting cover crops, read about cover crops, check out University of Minnesota cover crop research, and work with your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District. Start small and be timely. Consult with your crop insurance representative to ensure planned practices will not affect your insurance coverage.
- Corn hybrid and planting—If possible, plant the preceding corn silage crop early and use a hybrid adapted to your location.
- Residual corn herbicides—Manage for optimal weed control. Apply a preemergence herbicide to help control troublesome weeds such as waterhemp, which emerges over a long period of time and late in the season, or weeds that are resistant to key postemergence herbicides. Cereal rye can tolerate most residual corn herbicides applied earlier in the season, but if the rye will be grazed or used for forage, you must follow rotational restrictions listed on the label of any applied herbicides. (See Managing Risk When Using Herbicides)
- Seed purchase—Order cereal rye seed early from a reputable source. Use good-quality tagged seed that has been cleaned and tested for germination and weed seed contamination. Named varieties can produce greater growth and have more predictable development, but they are usually more expensive than VNS (variety not stated) seed. Utilize University of Minnesota field crop variety trial results for winter rye in variety selection, and consider forage quality if you intend to harvest the cereal rye for forage.
Fall Work
- Corn silage harvest—Prioritize fields where cereal rye is to be planted.
- Tillage, manure, fertilizer, and lime—Generally, cover crops are more successful in no-tillage or strip-tillage systems. For best rye establishment, any manure, fertilizer, or lime should be injected, subsurface-banded, or surface-applied and incorporated before planting the cover crop. Manure can be injected with a low-disturbance applicator after the cereal rye is seeded, preferably after the cereal rye has reached at least 4 inches in height, although the cover crop may be damaged.
- Timing of planting—Ideally, plant cereal rye by mid-September and as soon as possible after corn silage harvest to optimize biomass production. Try to time seeding before a rain.
- Seeding rate—If drilling cereal rye (preferred method for best establishment), use a minimum seeding rate of 55 lbs./acre of pure live seed (PLS). If broadcasting without incorporation, increase the rate to a minimum of 83 lbs./acre of PLS. Ensure that your seeding rate complies with any cost-share standards from a funding agency, if applicable. Consider increasing the seeding rate to increase forage yield.
- Planting method—Drill seed to a depth of 0.75–1.50 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation. Aerial seeding once corn reaches the R5 (dent) stage is another option, but this carries more risk of poor establishment than drilling.
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate cereal rye in the spring when plants are actively growing and are no more than 12 inches tall or at least 10 days prior to planting corn—whichever comes first. Cereal rye can grow quickly in warm weather and be more difficult to control once it reaches the boot stage or is taller than 18 inches. Consult your crop insurance agent and check USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines to ensure you are in compliance with rules on termination timing.
- Termination herbicide—Cereal rye can be terminated with a full rate of glyphosate (minimum of 1 lb. acid equivalent/acre) after dormancy breaks in the spring. Termination is most effective and rapid when cereal rye is actively growing, applications are made on a sunny day at least four hours prior to sunset, and air temperatures are >60°F during the day and >40°F at night. Rye sprayed past the boot stage or during colder weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, or will die more slowly.
- Corn planting—Most modern planters are fully capable of planting corn into residue from a cereal rye cover crop. Row cleaner attachments may be beneficial. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure in case any planter adjustments are needed. A starter with N may be beneficial since decomposing rye can tie up some of the soil organic N that the emerging crop needs.
- Scouting after planting—Scout for corn emergence, population, insect pests, and weeds. Substantial rye residue may delay weed emergence, ultimately delaying postemergence herbicide application.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool — available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
University of Minnesota Extension Cover Crops website
USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines (version 4: June 2019)
Minnesota Field Crop Variety Trials (University of Minnesota)
Managing Risk When Using Herbicides and Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean (University of Minnesota Extension)
Spring Management of Cover Crops (University of Minnesota Extension)
Authors
Lizabeth Stahl, Anna Cates, and Axel Garcia y Garcia, University of Minnesota Extension (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)
Reviewers and Contributors
Chryseis Modderman and Troy Salzer, University of Minnesota Extension; and Nathan Weise, East Otter Tail SWCD
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the U.S. Midwest and Ontario by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
September 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2021 by MCCC. All rights reserved.
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-125)
University of Guelph (SAG-FS-20-001)
This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.
Introduction
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop after corn silage harvest and before planting soybean as the next crop.
Planning and Preparation
- Planning—Read about cover crops. Go to field days. Start small. Be timely. Prioritize management based on purpose and objectives.
- Residual corn herbicides—Read the product label to identify any recropping restrictions for planting fall rye (Secale cereale L.) after silage corn harvest. Rye should not be grazed or harvested for forage unless product labels explicitly permit the use of an underseeded, treated crop as feed or the recropping restrictions are followed. (See Table 4-4, Herbicide Crop Rotation and Soil pH Restrictions—Field Crops, in Publication 75A, Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops in Resources.)
- Seed purchase—Order rye seed early, usually by early summer. Use good quality seed from a reputable seed dealer. Bin-run seed doesn’t have guaranteed germination and may come with unwanted weed seeds. Consider doing a germination test before planting and adjust seeding rates accordingly.
Fall Work
- Fall manure—It generally works best to plant cover crops following manure application via injection or surface application and incorporation. Nevertheless, so long as soil conditions are fit, manure can be applied by dragline or tanker once rye has passed the 2-3 leaf stage. This is not likely to damage the rye since the growing point remains below the ground in the fall.
- Tillage or no-tillage—Generally, it is easier to integrate cover crops into no-tillage or strip-tillage systems. If tillage is necessary to incorporate manure or smooth the seedbed after corn silage harvest, it should take place prior to rye seeding.
- Timing of planting—Plant rye as soon as possible after silage corn harvest and at least two weeks before the average hard frost date (-2°C). If planting later than mid-October, double the seeding rate.
- Seeding rate—Seed at a rate of 40–90 lbs/acre (assuming a germination rate of 85% or greater). Seeding rates should be increased by 50% if broadcasting and incorporating or be doubled if just broadcasting. If the rye will be grazed or harvested as a silage crop in the spring, use a rate of 100–170 lbs/acre.
- Planting method—Drill to a depth of 1–1.5 inches or broadcast with shallow incorporation to less than 1.5 inches. Aerial or other broadcast seeding is an option for earlier establishment into standing corn with some risk of poor or inconsistent establishment. Overly wet or dry conditions after aerial seeding or presence of slugs will limit success.
- Other fall operations—Use a current soil test (no older than four years) to determine lime or nutrient requirements for next year’s crop. If needed, thoroughly incorporate before seeding the rye cover crop.
Spring Work
- Termination timing—Terminate the rye in the spring when plants are 6 to 12 inches tall and actively growing or about two weeks before planting soybeans—whichever comes first. In a wet or windy spring, be ready to take advantage of any break in the weather and/or use low axle weight sprayers.
- Termination herbicide—Rye can be terminated with glyphosate after the rye begins growing in the spring (see Publication 75A, Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops in Resources). Effectiveness and speed of termination improves if rye is rapidly growing and air temperatures are warmer (>15°C). Larger rye, rye past the boot stage, or rye sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill, may require higher glyphosate rates, and will die more slowly.
- Option to harvest rye as a silage crop—Some growers may be interested in harvesting rye as an additional silage crop. Make sure all herbicide restrictions are followed. Also, this will typically delay the planting date for the next crop, but any fall-applied nutrients can be counted toward the rye crop in nutrient management planning. (See Resources for additional information on rye forage management.) Be sure to control rye regrowth.
- Soybean planting—Almost all modern planters and drills, with some modifications, are capable of planting soybean into a rye cover crop. Check that soybean seed is planted into moisture and the slot is closed shortly after beginning to plant; usually some adjustments are needed.
- Scouting—After planting, scout for soybean emergence, stand establishment, and weed control. Rye residue can delay annual weed emergence, which may shift the timing of post-emergence herbicides.
Resources
Cover Crop Selector Tool —available from Midwest Cover Crops Council
Publication 811, Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (OMAFRA)
Publication 75A, Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops (OMAFRA)
Cover Crops (OMAFRA web publication)
Double Cropping Fall Rye for Extra Forage (OMAFRA web publication)
Get a Jump on Early Spring Forage (OMAFRA web publication)
Authors
Cameron Ogilvie, University of Guelph; Jake Munroe, OMAFRA; Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA; Christine O’Reilly, OMAFRA; Laura Van Eerd, University of Guelph; Anne Verhallen, OMAFRA
Reviewers and Contributors
Dale Cowan, AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.; David Hooker, University of Guelph; Peter Johnson, Real Agriculture; Darren Robinson, University of Guelph; Peter Sikkema, University of Guelph; and François Tardif, University of Guelph
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the U.S. Midwest and Ontario by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.
August 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2020 by MCCC. All rights reserved.