Albert Lea Seed House 2018 Cover Crop Seed Guide | Page 4

Cover
Cropping 101
COVER CROPPING IN NO-TILL CORN-SOYBEAN ROTATION
Research indicates that, on its own, a no-till system takes several years before crop yields increase as soil productivity
ramps up and more nitrogen is stored in the soil in organic matter and humus. Cover crops can help no-till farmers
eliminate yield decreases as they get through the transition hump.
No-till corn-soybean rotations benefit from the nitrogen management offered by integrating cover crops. Although
corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder, soybeans benefit very little from cover crop nitrogen.
Example No-Till Rotation with Cover Crops
CORN > WINTER RYE > SOYBEANS > WINTER RYE
Winter rye scavenges nitrogen after corn and becomes a long-lasting residue that retains soil moisture and suppresses
weeds for your soybeans.
Plant rye as soon as possible after corn harvest. If you need more time in the fall, try overseeding in rowed beans at
drydown in early fall, or in early summer at the last cultivation of corn. Kill the rye once it is about knee-high or about
two weeks before soybean planting. (Farmers are experimenting with “planting green” - planting soybeans directly
into growing rye. Learn more: bit.ly/2Jg3OJ5.) If soil moisture is low, consider killing the rye earlier. Follow the beans
with small grain mixture.
SMALL GRAIN COVER CROPS BENEFITS
Small grains offer many benefits for the soil, including organic matter addition, improved erosion control, soil
biological diversity, water infiltration, drainage, nutrient availability, weed suppression, and fertility retention.
• Relatively Inexpensive - Cover crops are planted at a third to a half of the forage seeding rate.
• Easy to Manage - Large seeds establish easily when planted at the right depth and grow quickly and tiller in
the fall when planted on time.
• Easy to Control - Weediness is minimized by proper spring control (tillage, mowing, or grazing).
• Nutrient Uptake - Root masses penetrate downward and outward, scavenging nutrients from manure
applications and leachate from the previous crop, often making off-season manure applications possible.
• Organic Matter - Excellent sources of over-winter soil organic matter.
• Multi-Purpose - Plant at a full rate, and small grain stands can be grazed or harvested in fall or spring.
• Flexible in Rotations - Most small grains can still be planted after corn silage harvest. Triticale and rye often
can be planted after corn grain harvest. Oats can be planted in late summer and will winterkill.
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