Different cover crop mixes can have substantially different impact(s) on soil quality and physical properties.
2016 Farmer Survey
- Nebraska Cover Crops: What, Where, and How: A brief summary of survey results
- Full Report on Survey of Cover Crop Use with Nebraska Farmers
In Crop and Forage Systems
- Cover Crop Interviews with Local Producers. Two interviews with local producers from southeast Nebraska that use cover crops and explain how they are using them and benefits they are seeing from using them.
- 2020 Southeast Nebraska Soil Health Conference Recording. The 2020 Southeast Nebraska Soil Health Conference - "Feeding Our Below and Above Ground Livestock" was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 in Hickman, NE.
- Cover Crops and Ecosystem Services: Insights from Studies in Temperate Soils. An Agronomy Journal review by UNL agronomists of cover crop research conducted by multiple universities, shining light on the science behind how cover crops affect the ecosystems where they are used.
- Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres — Benefits, suitable cover crops for eastern Nebraska, cost-benefit estimates; cover crop seed suppliers, prevented planting payments and cover crops
- Study Initiated on Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean Systems
- Corn and Soybean Herbicide Options in the Spring for Planting Cover Crops for Forage in the Fall
- Long-term UNL Study Examines Impacts of Cover Crops on Soil, Water
- Nebraska On-Farm Research: Five 2014 Studies Show Varied Results
- Research Update: Winter Cover Crop Soil Nitrate-N Conservation After Seed Corn Production
- Cover Crops for Storm-Damaged Fields
- Cover Crop Options after Corn or Soybean Harvest
- When Herbicide Labels Restrict Using Cover Crops as Forage
- Double-Cropped Cool-Season Annuals (Cover Crops) for Late Fall and Early Spring Forage, links to related UNL articles
- Dryland Cover Crops as a Grazing Option for Beef Cattle, 2014 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report
- Cover Crops Following Weather-damaged Bean and Corn Harvests
- Rental Agreements for Cover Crop Grazing
Also see UNL's Beef.unl.edu for related information.
USDA SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) Resources
- Cover Crops Topic Room. From selection and management to economics to pest management.
- Cover Crop Innovator Series (video). Farmers describing how they integrated cover crops into cash crop operations.
- Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations
- Downloadable SARE Cover Crop Book, Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition.
Other States Cover Crop Resources
- Tips and Considerations For Getting Started With Cover Crops (ISU Extension)
Other Resources
- 2016 Cover Crops Crop Insurance, Cover Crops and NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines
- USDA Cover Crop Chart — valuable information about different cover crop types
- The Midwest Cover Crops Council Field Guide
Related Articles
Assessing Cover Crop Biomass Using Aerial Imagery: Lessons Learned During the UNL-NRCS Soil Health Initiative
October 15, 2020
Using aerial imagery, a non-destructive and easy-to apply method, we are able to gain insight into cover crop biomass production across an entire field, which would not be possible with traditional, boots-on-the-ground biomass sampling.
Using Aerial Imagery to Help Determine the Impact of Cover Crops on Cash Crop Growth and Development
October 15, 2020
Through education and on-farm assessment, Nebraska landowners part of the Soil Health Initiative (SHI) are evaluating the effects of diverse cover crop mixtures on both soil properties and agronomic indicators of soil health.
Seeding Rates for Broadcasting Cover Crops Into Late-season Corn and Soybean
September 17, 2020
The middle to end of September is a good time to establish cover crops by broadcasting seeds into corn or soybean before harvest. Broadcast interseeding before harvest allows cover crops to capture more sunshine, growing degree days and rainfall than drilling after harvest.
How Much Nitrogen Does My Cover Crop Take Up and When Do I Get It Back?
August 27, 2020
Biomass production, N uptake, and C:N ratio vary widely across the United States. The N in cover crop biomass will be released within a few weeks after termination, however, decomposition varies with soil moisture, soil temperature and C:N ratios.
Webinar - Cover Crops in Corn Systems: Opportunities for Dual Use - Set for Sept. 15th
August 27, 2020
Can planting cover crops in corn systems provide the dual benefits of improving soil health and be an economical source of forage? This webinar will cover lessons learned on incorporating cover crops after corn silage, high moisture corn, and dry corn harvest in Nebraska.