Grazing & Biomass Cover Crops
Winter Rye *
Most common and most hardy fall-seeded cover crop in northern climates . It can be grazed deep into the fall , competes heavily with weeds and produces lots of forage / green manure in the spring . Will germinate down to 35 ° F soil temp . Excellent feed value as forage with protein levels up to 18 %.
• Best used as a cover crop , forage crop and / or grain crop
• Well adapted to all soil types including low fertility , acidic , or sandy soils
• Can be planted deep into the fall ( basically until snow flies )
• Can suppress germination of following crops ( esp . small seeded crops ). It is recommended to allow _ biomass to decompose for 7-10 days prior to planting
• Heavy N and water user in the spring . Kill early if _
drought is forecasted
Price / bag
1-9 bags
10-39 bags
Aroostook Winter Rye
• Specially selected winter rye variety by the USDA
• An early-heading variety currently favored in organic no-till systems with a roller-crimper
• Excellent for use as a cover crop after full-season crops
• Good spring recovery and early-season vigor
• Very tall variety , early maturity
Cover Crop Barley *
• A cheap option for cover cropping
• Excellent for fall forage and grazing
40-199 bags
Conventional ____________ $ 9.50 / 48 lb bag Organic _________________ $ 20 / 48 lb bag
200 + bags
Conventional ASK ASK ASK ASK Organic ASK ASK ASK ASK
Price / bag
1-9 bags
10-39 bags
40-199 bags
200 + bags
Conventional ASK ASK ASK ASK Organic ASK ASK ASK ASK
8
Annual Ryegrass *
The most economical grass choice for cover cropping . High seeds / lb and rapid growing plant with an extensive root system that builds soil structure and holds soil in place . Very good cold tolerance , can survive the winter if planted in zone 5 or warmer . Excellent for fall grazing and forage ; although oats and winter rye will give you more tonnage . Very good candidate for aerial application .
• Low-cost cover crop that be seeded at last cultivation / V6 or flown on into standing corn or soybeans
• Well adapted to varying soil types
• Root structure will be large even though above-ground growth may be minimal
• May have winter survival more north based on the severity of the winter . Be prepared to spray or till in the spring to ensure complete kill
Conventional _________________ $ 0.84 / lb $ 42 / 50 lb bag
Organic _____________________ $ 1.60 / lb $ 80 / 50 lb bag
Buckwheat *
A quick-growing , broadleaved summer annual ready to incorporate in 35 to 45 days . Potential for multiple crops per year . Grain crop reaches maturity in 70 to 90 days . Very competitive with tough-to-control perennial and annual weeds like giant ragweed and Canada thistle . Easy to control and residue breaks down rapidly making this an ideal choice for small-scale producers . Excellent scavenger of P and other nutrients . Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators with its abundant flowers .
• Excellent full-summer cover crop & pollinator-forage crop
• Thrives on nutrient poor and varying soil types , but not on compacted , droughty , or wet soils
• Sensitive to frost , drought , excessive heat , and any carryover herbicides
• Terminate crop at first sign of flowering to avoid volunteer weed issues
Price / bag
1-5 bags
6-39 bags
40-199 bags
200 + bags
Conventional $ 35 $ 32 $ 29 $ 27 Organic $ 39 $ 36 $ 33 $ 31
Cover Crop Oats *
Economical oat blend suitable for cover cropping and fall forage . Oats are fast establishing , produce abundant biomass , and are competitive with weeds . Fibrous root system builds soil structure and captures excess nutrients . Oats are good scavengers of P and other soil nutrients . Easy to control and can fit into almost any rotation . Oats will winterkill .
• Cost-effective cover crop choice for soil coverage in the in fall
• Excellent biomass production and fall forage potential ( more than annual ryegrass )
• Best fit after small grains , vegetables , corn silage , or early soybeans . Not a good fit after grain corn or soybeans
• We ’ ve seen limited success with aerial application Conventional ________________ $ 7.50 / bu
$ 11.25 / 48 lb bag Organic ______________________ $ 12 / bu
$ 18 / 48 lb bag
Phacelia *
• Non-leguminous annual broadleaf with fern-like leaves and purple blossoms
• Provides early-season soil coverage and produces abundant flowers that are very attractive to pollinators . Flowers 6-8 weeks after emergence
• Will winterkill at 18 ° F and residue breaks down quickly . Plant early enough in the fall
• Avoid broadcasting / aerial application Conventional __________________ $ 3.40 / lb
$ 170 / 50 lb bag