Cover Crop Grains & Grasses
Grasses and grains are by far the most common cover crop species. There are several reasons for this. First, they are very good cover crops! Secondly, they tend to be very cost-effective to establish. And third, they are typically one of the easiest cover crops to establish and manage!
Grains and grasses can be grown by themselves or in a mix with other species. We do caution mixing grains together though. For instance, triticale and rye together can actually make a mix more difficult to terminate as they mature at different times, so unless their is a very specific reason (choosing to chop for livestock feed and wanting the enhanced protein from triticale), we typically advise against it!
Learn more about our grains for production HERE.
Oats are an easy to manage cover crop for those just starting, or that operate with limited equipment. Oats should be planted by Sept 15 as they will winterkill and need time for growth. They have abundant biomass for building soil, capturing nutrients, reducing erosion, and providing fall forage.
Oats work well before corn or soybeans; however they are very herbicide sensitive.
Rate: 50-100#/acre at 1"-1.5" depth
In a mix use 20-50#/acre.
Barley is becoming a very popular cover crop because it is less likely to be detrimental before corn than rye or wheat. It tends to tie up less nitrogen and does not have as significant of allelopathic response as cereal rye. Barley has a lower C:N ratio than most grains. Barley can be a great choice ahead of both corn or soybeans. When purchasing barley, make sure to choose winter hardy varieties.
Rate: 40-100#/acre at 1"-1.5" depth
In a mix use 20-40#/acre.
Triticale is a cross of wheat and cereal rye. It is more winter hardy than wheat, and offers higher quality forage than cereal rye. Triticale has an extended harvest window compared to cereal rye. It is a great option for those needing forage. Triticale can be planted alone or with a brassica crop if it will be grazed.
Rate: 80-120#/acre at 1"-1.5" depth
Variety: Consider an improved variety (HyOctane) for higher yield, increased protein and improved palatability.
Cereal rye is the most winter hardy option. It can be planted until early November. It has excellent weed suppression, forage tonnage, nutrient uptake and erosion control properties. It is best in front of soybeans, as it can compete with a following corn crop.
Rate: 30-50#/acre planted at 1.5"depth, 50-120#/acre if broadcast
Variety: Choose a true variety that matures at one time for easier termination instead of a blend with uneven maturity.
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KB Supreme is a variety that has proven itself with excellent winter hardiness, ease of establishment, and great roots. KB is a great choice for cover crop ahead of corn or soybeans by itself, or in a mixture with legumes and brassicas. It has a prolific root system that greatly improves the soil, while also recycling nutrients and providing many other benefits!
Rate: 6-12# in mix or 15-25# mono
Seed by Oct 1 for best results!
Lowboy is a newer variety of annual ryegrass with shorter plant height, making it easier to terminate. It has similar below-ground growth to other more upright annual ryegrasses; but the reduced biomass has proven effective in easier termination in field studies, while still offering a high level of cover crop benefit!
Rate: 6-12# in mix or 15-25# mono
Seed by Oct 1 for best results!
Tips for success:
Tips for buying Cereal Grains: There are a lot of producers growing and selling cereal grains locally. In many cases, this is a good opportunity to support a neighbor. However, you need to know what you are getting. Follow the tips below to make sure you are getting a fair deal on a good product:
•Always ask what variety it is. A true variety is a better option than VNS, as it will mature more evenly, allowing for easier termination.
•Ask if it has been tested. If not, you may be getting a product that has less than 50% germination, or a bunch of noxious weeds. A trustworthy supplier will be happy to show you the test results.
•Make sure it is cleaned. Uncleaned grain can bring in noxious weed seed that will last for years.
•Make sure you compare apples to apples on product and package size when comparing prices. For instance, cereal rye in a 50# bag for $18.00 ($.36/lb.) is actually more per pound than a 56# bushel bag of cereal rye for $20.00 ($.357/lb.).
Termination Tips:
When terminating a grass or grain cover crop, we recommend spraying herbicide. For cereal rye, roller-crimping can also be effective if performed at anthesis. We do not recommend tillage as a termination method in most situations, as it negates some of the benefit of the cover crop. It can often take multiple tillage passes to get an acceptable kill.
Herbicide Applications:
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Make sure that temperatures are warm (55°F+) so that plants are actively growing. It is best that nighttime temperatures are no less than 50°F for a few consecutive days so that the plant is likely to translocate the herbicide. Prefer 3 to 4 days warm weather before spraying.
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Always use rates listed on the label; do NOT cut the rate.
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Spraying in the morning or while the sun is out is preferred.
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Use adjuvants as needed! (AMS is needed for ARG)
ALWAYS READ & FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS!