University of Nebraska Extension

Which Cover Crop Species are Best Suited for Your Farm Goals?

By Raylene Nickel posted on May 10, 2024 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

Researchers’ trials have shown that combining cover crops with no-till creates soil health benefits exceeding those created by no-till alone. The two practices combined with applications of manure create the greatest soil health benefits.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Highboy Project Will Monitor Biomass & Nitrogen in 2024

April 2, 2024 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Cover crops are a recognized method for increasing soil health by reducing soil erosion, increasing soil organic matter and improving soil structure. Cover crops can also safeguard water quality by reducing nitrate leaching.

Roots, Another Important Aspect of Cover Crops

By Vesh R. Thapa posted on September 26, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources — CropWatch

Recognizing that the cover crop impact extends beneath the soil’s surface is crucial.

How Cover Crop Species & Termination Time Affect N Release

By Gustavo Pesini, Tuana Ferreira de Almeida, and Andrea Basche posted on August 7, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health, Termination

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Cropwatch

While later cover crop termination in the spring can allow for more biomass accumulation, such later termination can change the C-to-N composition of the plants impacting residue decomposition. Therefore, identifying the best time for cover crop termination to provide optimal N cycling benefits can help farmers make decisions about cover crop management.

Potential Impacts of Different Herbicides When Interseeding Cover Crops

By Steve Melvin, Jenny Rees, Chris Proctor, and Amit Jhala posted on April 24, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

With increasing use of cover crops for different goals, we receive more questions each year regarding potential impacts of different herbicide programs on cover crops.

Comparing the Tradeoffs of Cover Crop Termination Methods

By Chris Proctor, Jenny Rees, Katja Koehler-Cole, and Amit Jhala posted on April 10, 2023 | Posted in Termination

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension

Each year we receive questions on termination timing of cereal covers. This question occurs as farmers consider trade-offs between a positive return on investment from the cover crop, by allowing more biomass growth with the potential for yield loss if termination is delayed too long. Information being shared can be confusing, with one source saying to terminate pre-plant while another says to plant green into the cover.

[Podcast] Grazing Covers Can Benefit Your Livestock & Soil

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Daren Redfearn, Nebraska Extension Forage & Crop Residue Specialist. Redfearn discusses how grazing can improve your bottom line, how cover crops can extend the grazing season, how weather patterns impact grazing cover crops, and more.

November 12, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Yetter Equipment, features an interview with Daren Redfearn, Nebraska Extension Forage & Crop Residue Specialist. Redfearn discusses how grazing can improve your bottom line, how cover crops can extend the grazing season, how weather patterns impact grazing cover crops, and more.

Considerations for Planting Green

June 3, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

An increasing number of growers are ‘planting green’ or have asked questions regarding this practice. ‘Planting green’ means the corn or soybean is planted directly into a growing cover crop (most often a small grain like rye or wheat) without killing it by herbicide or mechanical means first. Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

Video

Results of Cover Crop Research

April 27, 2016

Roger Elmore, an agronomist for University of Nebraska Extension, gives an update on preliminary results from cover crop research at multiple sites across Nebraska.