Cover Crops
Cover crops are a great way to improve soil health. Many Iowa farmers are adding cover crops to their crop rotations so soil stays covered when the fields are not growing other crops. Cover crops also improve soil organic matter and slow water runoff.
Farmers have many questions about incorporating cover crops. Most asked questions include: what kinds of plants can be used, when and how to seed and when and how to terminate. With field days and workshops, Iowa Learning Farms strives to help farmers, and other interested people, find the answers to these questions and more.
Livestock
Cover crops have unique advantages for livestock operations. Check out the following resources for more information:
Cover Crop Champions
These Iowa farmers have graciously offered to assist new cover crop users by offering information or answer any questions on the use and management of cover crops. There are many resources available, but if you're not sure where to turn for advice on cover crops, please feel free to contact any of the farmers listed here.
Calculators
These calculators, developed by ILF, can assist you in planning your cover crop project.
Best Practices
Spring Termination:
CORN - 10-14 days before planting or before 8 inches tall
SOYBEAN - 3-7 days before planting or before 12 inches tall
Nitrogen Management For Corn Following Rye:
Move to spring after termination
Starter may be beneficial
No need to adjust total N rates
Select corn/soybean planting dates based on ideal planting conditions (50°F and rising soil temps and suitable moisture). Proper maintenance and planter set up is needed for optimum performance. Choose maturities that are well adapted for your area.
Scout corn fields early for true armyworms to avoid yield damage and unnecessary costs of treatments if below the threshold - For more information.
Cover Crop Resources
Additional Resources
Midwest Cover Crops Council website offers excellent resources for cover crops education as well as networking opportunities for cover crop users. Also available is the Cover Crop Decision Tool. This free online resource can help you decide which cover crop variety is most suitable for your farming conditions. The tool has two parts: one for field crops and one for vegetable growing.
Practical Farmers of Iowa has a dedicated cover crops page on their website. They also maintain a Cover Crop Business Directory, which you can download as a PDF file.
Iowa NRCS Cover Crop Resources - Technical resources covering a variety of topics including NRCS Job Sheets for cost share, crop insurance, prevent planting, termination and more!
Clean Water Iowa Cover Crop Resources - Information on cover crops and Water Quality Initiative watershed projects.