Cover Crops

Homemade interseeder — Figure 1. In 2019 in York County (left), the grower built his own interseeder and tested a nitrogen mix (4 lb/ac crimson clover, 3 lb/ac red clover, 2 lb/ac yellow sweet clover, 4 lb/ac Winterhawk annual ryegrass, 1.5 lb/ac impact forage collards, 1.5 lb/ac Trophy rapeseed) vs. diversity mix (2 lb/ac red clover, 2.5 lb/ac Hubam white seed clover, 4 lb/ac Winterhawk annual ryegrass, 1 lb/ac purple top turnip, 3 lb/ac golden flax, 0.5 lb/ac phacelia Angelia, 0.5 lb/ac chicory) interseeded at V5-V6 corn vs. check treatment. Seward County (right), a Hagie was used to broadcast interseed 10 lb/ac red clover and 5 lb/ac buckwheat into V6 corn vs. check treatment.

Results from Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn or Soybean

May 12, 2021

A summary of the studies conducted via Nebraska On-Farm Research and Soybean Management Field Days on interseeding cover crops into living corn and soybean.

Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn and Soybean: What We’ve Learned

May 6, 2021

Due to recent research efforts, Nebraska Extension educators expand recommendations on techniques and plant species used for interseeding cover crops in corn and soybeans.

Does Grazing Cover Crops Negatively Impact Soil and Crop Yields?

April 29, 2021

Grazing cover crops can be a potential option to re-integrate crops with livestock production and reverse the adverse effects of separating crops and livestock production, despite soil compaction concerns.

Broadleaf cover crop — When using a burndown herbicide to terminate broadleaf cover crops and weeds this spring, planting intervals often may negate the use of many 2,4-D products prior to Enlist E3® soybean planting. (Photos by Amit Jhala).

Which 2,4-D Product Should I Use as a Burndown Before Planting Enlist E3® Soybean?

April 29, 2021

A review of the best production options for growers who are preparing to terminate broadleaf cover crop species and winter annual broadleaf weeds using 2,4-D products.

Can Cover Crops Offset the Negative Impacts of Corn Silage?

April 28, 2021

UNL researchers discerned varied results from a study on reducing soil compaction and wind/water erosion on fields harvested for corn silage by planting cover crops.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Growth and Seeding Concerns, Selecting Herbicides

April 19, 2021

Maximize water usage in your alfalfa fields this year with tried-and-true techniques, such as adding cereals and no-till seeding.

Managing Residual Herbicides with Cover Crops

April 8, 2021

This article discusses the fate of residual herbicides applied to crop residue and living cover crops, and how this may influence herbicide effectiveness.

Fall seeded cover crop field — Figure 1. A fall seeded cover crop such as cereal rye can be a great tool for preventing the emergence of horseweed and other winter annual weed species, as well as suppressing early-season waterhemp emergence.

Final Results from a Multi-state Study on Cover Crop Termination with Herbicides