Cover Crops
Cover crops are plant species, such as oats and cereal rye, planted to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and provide water quality benefits during the months of the year when crops are not actively growing on farmland. Utilizing cover crops improves soil health by:
√ Improving soil structure.
√ Reducing soil compaction.
√ Protecting the soil surface.
Cover crops are seeded in the fall, either before or after harvest. They are not harvested as grains, but can be grazed or harvested as forage. Cover crops go hand-in-hand with no-tillage and strip-tillage.
Cover crop choices and seeding specifications vary depending on crop rotation and preferences. Seeding a winter cereal grain cover crop ahead of corn and soybean does not require any drastic changes in corn or soybean management practices.
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