As the growing season approaches, cover crop termination is one of the first field activities on the horizon. Complete termination of a cover crop is essential to prevent poor seed placement of the cash crop, allelopathy, potential insect issues such as seed corn maggot, and crop competition. Failed or incomplete termination often deters future cover crop use.

To increase the rate of success, the Michigan State University Extension cover crops team has released “Cover Crop Termination,” a new publication coauthored by weed extension specialist Christy Sprague and weed science diagnostician Erin Hill. Cover crop termination methods discussed include winter kill, mechanical methods and herbicide options.