Erin Silva

Extension Specialist, Organic Agriculture

University of Wisconsin

Rolling Cover Crops Successfully in No-Till Systems

One growing method of cover management in no-till systems is terminating overwintering cover crops using a roller/crimper before, during or shortly after planting. This can be an especially valuable tool for organic operations that must avoid using herbicides for this task, or for growers wanting another tool to fight weeds.

Erin Silva will describe the successful organic no-till production techniques that include rolling and crimping cereal rye at soybean planting, which keeps a living root in the soil longer and leaves a mat of plant residue on the soil surface to suppress weeds and build biomass and soil organic matter. She’ll also share tips for setting up and operating a roller-crimper system successfully in a conventional or organic no-till operation.