Cover crop - Articles

Berseem Clover as a Cover Crop Improves Alfalfa Production

February 24, 2020 | Posted in Economics

For alfalfa producers needing to renovate fields suffering from winterkill or looking to increase the quality and yield of this season’s hay crop, improved cover crop varieties are a viable solution. Take berseem clover, for example. The synergistic relationship between berseem clover and alfalfa make the legume an effective companion crop due to its rapid summer growth, notable nitrogen fixation and similar appearance.

[Video] Pros & Cons of Ryegrass

January 22, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Learn more about ryegrass and the pros and cons of using this cold weather crop as a cover crop. Find out the best time to plant rye grass, why ryegrass is an excellent choice for preventing soil erosion, and why timing of ryegrass termination is so critical.

Choose Your Cover Crop Species with Care

By Sarah Hill posted on January 20, 2020

Each crop year is different, and there will be various reasons influencing the decision of what cover crops to use — the amount of biomass you want produced, your preferred method of cover crop termination, weed control, and more. You have to choose cover crops that are best for your operation, the weather, soil conditions and cash crops.

[Video] Cover Crop Cocktails

January 7, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cover crop mixes, or cocktails, can do a lot, but can also be complex to put together.

Decomposing Cover Crops Create Quite a Stir

December 27, 2019 | Posted in Termination

Source: The Republic (Columbus, IN)

Sniff! Up in the air. It’s smelly cabbage. It’s rotten eggs. It’s sewer-gas! All three of those guesses were posted on social media regarding the origin of a mysterious strong and pungent smell in some rural areas of Bartholomew County, Indiana. Turns out, it was just radishes planted as cover crops that were decomposing.

Barley of Particular Interest as a Cover Crop

December 20, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: Kenosha News

There simply are not many fields of barley in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa these days, and that’s not likely to change much. Cost, climate and marketing opportunities are most conducive to growing it elsewhere.

Not Too Late to Plant Cereal Rye

December 9, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: AgriNews

"Cereal rye is a really hardy cover crop in the fact that it can still germinate at 32 degrees, so even getting it seeded late in the fall, you might get a little bit of growth in the fall but you’ll see some early spring growth that can be really good, as well. Those green roots, those living roots in the soil that really help hold that in place and keep everything there,” said Megan Dwyer, Illinois Corn Growers Association nutrient loss reduction manager.

Many Pennies to be Made from Growing Pennycress as a Cover Crop

By Sarah Hill posted on October 9, 2019

If you’re looking for a cover crop that also can serve as a cash crop, then pennycress might be something to consider. This fall-planted, non-edible brassica can provide economic returns up to 990 pounds per acre, or 45-50 bushels per acre, with a seed oil content of 26-39%, says University of Minnesota Extension.

[Podcast] Using Manure to Fertilize Cover Crops

Timing, cover crop seeding rates and application methods are the keys to maximizing manure management for cover crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff.

September 24, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Timing, cover crop seeding rates and application methods are the keys to maximizing manure management for cover crops, according to Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Nebraska Farmer's Land Saved by Cover Crops During Record Storm

September 2, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Fence Post

While there was no time to build an ark to prepare for the “bomb cyclone” that hit Nebraska and other areas of the Midwest this spring, farmer Noah Seim said one of his fields successfully braved the storm because he had established a healthy stand of rye as a cover crop. Read more about Seim's story in this article from The Fence Post.