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.

Annual Ryegrass & Radish

Photo: Lewis Seeds

Purple Top Turnips

Oilseed Radish

Hairy Vetch - GS3

Crimson Clover -GS3