Although about 20% of Illinois cropping systems are planted to continuous corn, it’s nearly impossible to find fields planted this way for decades at a time. Yet long-term experiments like one at the University of Illinois, including over 40 years of continuous corn under different nitrogen fertilizer rates, provide incredible learning opportunities and soil management lessons.

Matt Grosshans turned to the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) and the NRCS for help with funding and planting cover crops. He planted 350 acres of rye after corn and soybeans in fall 2021. 

Dr. Bill Robertson, extension cotton specialist for Arkansas, offers 7 points of advice for growers to consider when planning cover crop strategies for the fall.

Looking for a new cover crop to seed this summer? Penn State Extension experts offers several options including sudangrass, pearl millet, sun hemp, buckwheat and more.

Interseeding cover crops produces greater biomass than drilling covers after harvest, and in rotations where corn follows corn, late fall application of manure sustains or improves yield compared to spring-applied fertilizer, according to this University of Minnesota study.