Winter-sensitive cover crop (CC) species are frost-killed during winter, which limits their growth to the fall. Winter-hardy CC species can survive winter temperatures and accumulate biomass in the fall and
Cereal rye as a cover crop has been shown to have many benefits including weed suppression, improved soil aggregation and structure, decreased bulk density and compaction, and improved soil water
Cover crops provide many local benefits to farmers and can increase carbon storage in soils. In this study, cover crops are planted in all agricultural regions in North America to
Lack of attractive short-term economic returns to growers and limited time for cover crop establishment following maize and soybean harvest are major reasons for slow cover crop adoption. Therefore, alternative
Winter camelina and pennycress are both oil seed crops and cold tolerant species that require less pest management inputs than winter rye and can serve as an alternative cover crop.
In colder agricultural regions like the upper Midwest, the availability of cold tolerant cover crop species is limited, which also limits double-cropping practices, especially in maize-soybean cropping systems. Although double-cropping
The corn-soybean cropping system dominates the Midwestern U.S., and Iowa often leads in hectares of corn and soybean. Though corn and soybean are highly productive in Iowa for a portion
Mitigation of nonpoint source Phosphorus (P) pollution is a worldwide challenge. Among a large range of best or beneficial P management practices (BMPs), plant-related strategies such as crop stubble preservation,
The use of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) as a winter cover crop by Midwest corn and soybean farmers has opened a market for Oregon ryegrass seed growers. The advantage
Cool-season cover crops have been shown to reduce soil erosion and nutrient discharge from maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production systems. However, their effects on
Cover crops are beneficial to agricultural systems because they provide a living root in the soil year-round. They can improve soil nutrient and moisture content, reduce runoff, increase helpful soil
Find out from Iowa farmers how cover crops can benefit your livestock operation.
Interested in growing your own seed? Two Iowa farmers discuss the benefits of growing their own winter rye seed.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate growth characteristics of annual, cool season grass, legume, and forb cultivars to determine their adaptation for cover cropping in the Northern Great
This study published by the United States Department of Agriculture evaluated “forty-three commercially available varieties of seven common annual, cool-season cover crop species for their adaptation to the Inland Pacific
Adaptation of Cool Season Commercial Cover Crop Cultivars and Source Cultivars in North-Central Texas and Southwestern Oklahoma
Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in the Great Basin
Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in the Mid-South
Evaluation of Selected Cool Season Cover Crop Varieties in Northeast Missouri
Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in Maryland