Cover crops are used to address multiple resource concerns and can provide a wide range of conservation benefits including reduced soil erosion, scavenged residual soil nitrogen, weed suppression, and supplemental livestock forage. The carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the cover crop determines the durability of the cover crop residue.

Nitrogen prices are so high this year that it is worth considering earlier termination of cereal cover crops to avoid nitrogen tie-up and to save money.

Experts from Purdue University discuss herbicide options for fields that have a mixture of cover crop species growing in them and how to effectively terminate the cover crops before corn or soybean production.