cover crop biomass

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Cover Crops Bolster Systems Approach to No-Till Weed Management

Growers can tackle weed pressure & herbicide resistance with covers and help from many other ‘little hammers’

By Mackane Vogel posted on April 28, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health, Termination

Weeds continue to be one of the most yield-limiting factors in no-till crop production, but thankfully, there are new ways of dealing with them when the right tools are sought out and used.

The Dilemma Between Maximizing Cover Crop Biomass and Planting Soybeans Early

What is the best compromise? See what we found out from Pennsylvania field trials.

By Daniela Carrijo posted on January 17, 2025 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: PennState Extension

When the goal is to maximize cover crop biomass ahead of soybean planting, producers are sometimes faced with the dilemma between allowing the cover crop more time to grow and the desire to plant soybeans as early as possible within the recommended planting window.

Cereal Rye Cover Crop vs. Giant Ragweed

By Rodrigo Werle and Guilherme Chudzik posted on January 2, 2024 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Source: WiscWeeds

A field study was conducted to determine the amount of dry cereal rye cover crop biomass needed to suppress giant ragweed density and growth. The study was conducted in 2022 and 2023 at the Rock County Farm near Janesville, Wis.

Planting Green: Do Higher Cover Crop Seeding Rates Improve Weed Suppression?

By Teala Ficks posted on April 14, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Grow

The idea that increasing cover crop seeding rates will increase the cover crop’s biomass and weed suppressive benefits is a popular assumption.

[Podcast] Rick Clark on Transitioning from Soil Destruction to Regeneration

March 17, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

This week’s podcast, brought to you by Montag Manufacturing, contributing editor Martha Mintz chats with Williamsport, Ind. grower Rick Clark about how he integrates cover crops in a seven-way crop rotation, how nutrients are cycling in his system, why he says weeds aren't always bad and more.

Biomass is Key to Weed Suppression with Cover Crops

July 13, 2020 | Posted in Termination

Source: Iowa State University Extension

One important benefit of cover crops to our production system is providing an alternative selection pressure on weed populations. Cereal rye has the best potential to suppress weeds because it accumulates more biomass than other cover crop species. Read more in this article from Iowa State University Extension.

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.