Even after spending more than a decade using cover crops and dedicating their farm to the practice, Kyle Grumke, a western Missouri corn, soybean and forage grower admits that sometimes picking cover crop seed isn’t top-of-mind until right when it’s needed. “I really need to be working on getting the seed I need on hand for fall in that July time frame,” he says. Read more in this article from Seed World.

The funding was led by Bunge Ventures, the venture capital arm of US agribusiness firm Bunge. REG Ventures, a subsidiary of US biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group (REG), also participated in the round. Read more in this article from AgFunder News.

Crop scientists at three federal labs have released results of a two-year evaluation of 56 commercially-available cover crop varieties to help farmers pick the best ones for their business. K-State Research and Extension soil management specialist Deann Presley calls the publication – Evaluation of Cool Season Crops in the North Central Region – an “excellent piece of research” conducted by scientists employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Read more in this article from KRVN Radio.

A new publication has been released from the NRCS Plant Materials Program that may be of interest to growers using cover crops in the north central U.S.

For alfalfa producers needing to renovate fields suffering from winterkill or looking to increase the quality and yield of this season’s hay crop, improved cover crop varieties are a viable solution. Take berseem clover, for example. The synergistic relationship between berseem clover and alfalfa make the legume an effective companion crop due to its rapid summer growth, notable nitrogen fixation and similar appearance. Read more in this article from AgriNews.

In this podcast the Holtwood, Pa., grower and Cover Crop Coach will discuss many factors that affect winter hardiness ratings, including planting date, temperatures, snow cover, wind chill, freeze-thaw cycles and more. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)