We are edging closer to the end of the season. We are more or less done with managing our crops through inputs besides cleaning up some double-crop soybean fields, so it is time to start focusing on the future. Most farmers mainly have this fall’s harvest on their minds, and they should, but there is another big event coming up that affects a lot of farmers: cover crop planting. As we move closer to corn and soybean harvesting, it is important to think about whether or not to use cover crops and how you want them planted. In this article, we will go through the reasons to be using cover crops and things to remember when applying them in 2019.
Soil Management
One of the main agronomic reasons to use cover crops is soil management. Cover crops help to improve the soil in many different ways. For starters, cover crops help with topsoil retention and erosion prevention. Having a widely spread root system in the off-season when soil is at its most vulnerable can help prevent soil runoff with heavy rains. That topsoil is the best soil for your crops, so you must protect and retain it. Another big soil management advantage when using cover crops is added soil nutrition and organic matter. Cover crops, unlike cash crops, are not harvested. This means that the plant and its fruit will mature and be incorporated with the soil, which will help build essential microorganism levels and improve the way your plants interact with the soil in the future. Also, the nutrients gathered by the cover crops will be reincorporated with the soil, leading to a healthy cycle that will release nutrients over time and aid with soil nutrition replenishment.
Weed Management
Cover crops are also well known to aid in weed management. We all have experienced winter-annual weed headaches in the spring before and during planting season, so you may want to consider using cover crops to mitigate against these woes. Planting cover crops will create competition to winter annual weeds that will lead to much cleaner fields in the spring. Cover crops will take up much more nutrients, water, and overall soil space than their weedy competitors, which means you have a lot more of the plants you want in your fields rather than the plants you don’t. It is also much easier to clean up and kill cover crops in the spring than it is to kill a matte of weeds. Set yourself up with cleaner fields in the spring by planting cover crops in the fall.
Government Programs
A big reason a lot of farmers partake in cover crop planting is because of government-provided incentives. A number of government programs have been designed to encourage farmers to better manage their soils. These programs have become more popular in recent years. Ask your local NRCS agent if you are eligible to enroll in a government incentive program and receive some compensation for positive soil management through cover crops. It’s a win-win.
Plan for a Late Harvest
The 2019 planting season was delayed by rains and wet conditions, so crops were planted later than usual (especially corn). This means that crops will be harvested later, which significantly interferes with cover crop planting. Many farmers could be in danger of missing their government program window for planting cover crops. This, however, can be prevented by planting cover crops with an aerial application on standing crops, primarily corn. An airplane service can plant cover crops in standing corn and ensure that your cover crops are spread and planted on time so that they may do the most good and ensure you qualify for government programs. If you do elect to wait until after harvest to plant cover crops, be mindful of the window your program provides and plant immediately following harvest.
Final Notes
Time is growing short. Soon corn will be turning and reaching maturity, and things will get moving fast. It is in your best interest to plan ahead and get your cover crop program lined out now. Don’t wait in line when it gets down to the wire.
Luckily, Service and Supply Cooperative can help you with your cover crop management plan this fall. We have a wide variety of cover crops to choose from, allowing you to make the proper blends and varieties that will lead to a successful off-season. Service and Supply also has the ability to provide ground application as well as aerial application of cover crops. We have several years of experience working with farmers to achieve their goals with cover crops, complying with government program demands. We also can provide excellent fertilizer recommendations and applications to supplement your cover crop application. Use one of the links below to get in touch with a professional at Service and Supply, and we will work through your program with you as well as get you on the application list as soon as possible.
