Cover Crop Species

Oats & Radish - Photo: GS3 Seeds

Nitro Radish (Daikon) - GS3 Seed

Purple Top Turnips - Lewis Seed

Common Cover Crop Species:

Cereal Rye

Seeding Rates:   Aerial – 80-100# / acre

                             Broadcast – 70-90# / acre

                             Drill – 30-60# / acre

Benefits:

• Reduce Erosion

• Nutrient Capture

• Weed Suppression

• Grazing Value

Considerations: 

• Easy to establish, rookie friendly

• Most winter hardy option

• May cause alleopathic effect to following corn crop

  • Reduce effect by terminating 2 weeks before planting cor

  • Consider applying Nitrogen and/or insecticide to grain crop

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Annual Ryegrass

Seeding Rates:   Aerial – 20-25# / acre

                             Broadcast – 15-25# / acre

                             Drill – 15-20# / acre

Benefits:  

• Reduce Erosion

• Nutrient Capture

• Weed Suppression

• Grazing Value

• Reduce Compaction

Considerations: 

• Easy to establish, rookie friendly

• Good winter hardiness

• Fibrous root system

• Termination Cautions

• Wait until temperatures are 50+ to terminate with chemicals

• Use true varieties for even stand

• Does NOT cause an allelopathic effect on corn

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Oats

Seeding Rates:   Aerial – 64-96# / acre

                             Broadcast – 60-80# / acre

                             Drill – 32-64# / acre

Benefits:  

• Reduce Erosion

• Nutrient Capture

• Weed Suppression

• Reduce Compaction

• Grazing Value

Considerations: 

• Easy to establish, rookie friendly

• Will winterkill

• Fibrous root system

• Does NOT cause an allelopathic effect on corn

• Excellent nurse crop

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Crimson Clover

Seeding Rates:   Aerial – 20-30# / acre

                             Broadcast – 18-24# / acre

                             Drill – 12-18# / acre

Benefits:  

• Nitrogen Fixation

• Increase Organic Matter

• Grazing Opportunity

Considerations: 

• Plant 8 weeks before frost in fall

• Use inoculant for nitrogen production

• Bloat may be a concern for grazing

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Peas

Seeding Rates:   50-80# / acre, drilled or broadcast

Benefits:

• Nutrient Recycling

• Grazing Opportunity

• Increase Organic Matter

• Nitrogen Fixation

 Considerations: 

• Will typically winter-kill

• Allow 6-8 weeks growth before frost

• Best when drilled ½” deep & inoculated

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Radish

Seeding Rates:   2-5# / acre with companion crop

Benefits:

• Nutrient Recycling

• Grazing Opportunity

• Break Plow-Pan

• Increase Organic Matter

• Weed Suppression

 Considerations: 

• Will winter-kill

• Certain radish types may host nematodes

• Choose an oilseed radish if SCN is a concern

• Allow 6-8 weeks growth before frost

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Turnips

Seeding Rates:   2-4# / acre with companion crop

Benefits:

• Nutrient Recycling

• Grazing Opportunity

• Increase Organic Matter

• Weed Suppression

 Considerations: 

• Will winter-kill

• Allow 6-8 weeks growth before frost

• Very small seed, may separate in a blend

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Hairy Vetch

Seeding Rates:   Aerial – 20-25# / acre

                             Broadcast – 20-25# / acre

                             Drill – 15-20# / acre

Benefits:  

• Nitrogen Fixation

• Increase Organic Matter

• Grazing Opportunity

• Improve Soil Water Holding Capacity

Considerations: 

• Winter hardy, will need to terminate in spring

• Use inoculant for nitrogen production

• Produces high quality forage

• Works well on poor soils

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To find out more about the differences between cereal rye and annual ryegrass, click here.

Purple Top Turnips

Oilseed Radish

Hairy Vetch - GS3

Crimson Clover -GS3