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:
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Reduce Erosion
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Nutrient Capture
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Weed Suppression
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Grazing Value
Considerations:
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Easy to establish, rookie friendly
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Most winter hardy option
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May cause alleopathic effect to following corn crop
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Reduce effect by terminating 2 weeks before planting cor
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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
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Good winter hardiness
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Fibrous root system
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Termination Cautions
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Wait until temperatures are 50+ to terminate with chemicals
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Use true varieties for even stand
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Does NOT cause an allelopathic effect on corn
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:
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Easy to establish, rookie friendly
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Will winterkill
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Fibrous root system
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Does NOT cause an allelopathic effect on corn
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Excellent nurse crop
Crimson Clover
Seeding Rates: Aerial – 20-30# / acre
Broadcast – 18-24# / acre
Drill – 12-18# / acre
Benefits:
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Nitrogen Fixation
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Increase Organic Matter
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Grazing Opportunity
Considerations:
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Plant 8 weeks before frost in fall
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Use inoculant for nitrogen production
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Bloat may be a concern for grazing
Peas
Seeding Rates: 50-80# / acre, drilled or broadcast
Benefits:
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Nutrient Recycling
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Grazing Opportunity
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Increase Organic Matter
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Nitrogen Fixation
Considerations:
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Will typically winter-kill
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Allow 6-8 weeks growth before frost
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Best when drilled ½” deep & inoculated
Radish
Seeding Rates: 2-5# / acre with companion crop
Benefits:
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Nutrient Recycling
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Grazing Opportunity
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Break Plow-Pan
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Increase Organic Matter
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Weed Suppression
Considerations:
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Will winter-kill
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Certain radish types may host nematodes
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Choose an oilseed radish if SCN is a concern
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Allow 6-8 weeks growth before frost
Turnips
Seeding Rates: 2-4# / acre with companion crop
Benefits:
-
Nutrient Recycling
-
Grazing Opportunity
-
Increase Organic Matter
-
Weed Suppression
Considerations:
-
Will winter-kill
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Allow 6-8 weeks growth before frost
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Very small seed, may separate in a blend
Hairy Vetch
Seeding Rates: Aerial – 20-25# / acre
Broadcast – 20-25# / acre
Drill – 15-20# / acre
Benefits:
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Nitrogen Fixation
-
Increase Organic Matter
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Grazing Opportunity
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Improve Soil Water Holding Capacity
Considerations:
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Winter hardy, will need to terminate in spring
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Use inoculant for nitrogen production
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Produces high quality forage
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Works well on poor soils
To find out more about the differences between cereal rye and annual ryegrass, click here.


Annual Ryegrass & Radish
Photo: Lewis Seeds



Purple Top Turnips
Oilseed Radish
Hairy Vetch - GS3

Crimson Clover -GS3