Cover Crops

Learn how you can use cover crops to slow erosion, boost soil health, scavenge and hold nutrients, improve water quality, and control pests, weeds, and diseases. This section outlines the different types of cover crops as well as management tips for planting and terminating.

What’s Your Cover Crop Goal for 2020?

It’s easy to become excited about cover crop adoption, but you’ve gotta have a plan.

A mix of cover crop species in Kansas, after wheat harvest.

Article

Cover Crop Seeding Methods

If you haven’t already, it’s time to get your cover crops seeded. There are several ways to do it, and pros and cons to each method.

Audio

Asking Questions, Finding Answers

In an effort to protect his soil, Tony Wagner discovered a solution to his soil-loss problem — and others — by experimenting with cover crops.

Tony Wagner plants into green standing cover crop.

Article

All Around the Farm

Storage for a Backhoe

By All Around the Farm

Hooking up the three-point backhoe is probably my least-favorite job on the farm. To make it easier, I welded trailer jacks on both sides of the backhoe and fabricated a saddle to use with a third trailer jack for the boom to rest on. Now, I can h

Tip

Successful Farming TV Show

Unbelievable Shop/Office with Room for Used Parts Business

By Top Shops

Dave Mowitz travels to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, to the Runyard farmstead on Top Shops. The Runyards needed a shop that was functional for future expansion and for their used part business.

Video

Successful Farming TV Show

Don Landoll’s 1950 Ford 8N Tractor

By Successful Farming TV Show

Dave Mowitz visits with Don Landoll to see his beautifully restored Ford 8N.

Video

USDA Adjusts Prevent Plant Acres Planted to Cover Crop

Farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres will be permitted to hay, graze, or chop those fields September 1, 2019.

Article

Don’t Sacrifice Weed Control for Later Cover Crop Stands

Some cover crops are more sensitive to herbicide persistence than others.

Cover crops can be sensitive to the lingering effects of residual herbicides.

Article

Planting Cover Crops on Prevent Plant Acres? Read This First.

If you’re thinking about planting cover crops on prevent-plant acres, ask yourself what goals you have and whether seed is available. Also, seek advice from others.

Article

Acre Insight: Interseeding Cover Crop Into Corn

Abbey Wick discusses strategies for interseeding a cover crop into corn.

Video

Agronomy Tip: Evaluate Field Temps before Planting

Depending on your field qualities, soil temperatures will vary and impact your planting plan.

Tip

Ag Census: Cover Crop Acres Surge From 2012 to 2017

Cover crop acres between 2012 and 2017 surged despite declining crop prices as more farmers realized the positive attributes of seeding rye, peas, radishes, and other cover crops.

Article

Tip of the Day

Tech Tip: Have the Ability to Make Game-Time Decisions

As weather patterns become more extreme, the planting window narrows. If the weather is changing and you’re not sure when you’re going to... read more