Cover Crops

Unplanted acres with corn residue

Check Herbicide Restrictions before Planting and Using Cover Crops

June 28, 2019
Cover crops offer many benefits for prevented planting fields; however, including them in a rotation adds another layer of complexity, particularly when it comes to plant-back restrictions for previously applied herbicides. Here's what to check before selecting a cover crop species.

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On flood-damged fields cover crops offer benefits as a soil cover and rebuilder as well as a source of forage.
On flood-damged fields cover crops offer benefits as a soil cover and rebuilder as well as a source of forage.

NRCS Recommendations for Growing Corn as a Cover Crop

June 28, 2019
Corn is considered a cover crop species in Nebraska and can be planted into prevented planting acres and can be grazed or harvested for forage. See these NRCS recommendations for meeting guidelines when using corn as a cover crop.

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Figure 1. This wheat field just off the Cedar River near Fullerton has 4-6 inches of sediment from spring flooding. Prevented planting and cover crops can help protect against soil erosion and provide feed for cattle. (Photo by Megan Taylor)
Figure 1. This wheat field just off the Cedar River near Fullerton has 4-6 inches of sediment from spring flooding. Prevented planting and cover crops can help protect against soil erosion and provide feed for cattle. (Photo by Megan Taylor)

Prevented Planting and Cover Crops

June 21, 2019
This week when the USDA Risk Management Agency changed the deadline for grazing, cutting, or haying cover crops planted on prevented planting acres to Sept. 1, new options opened up for selecting cover crops to best meet the end use and to provide higher quality feed for cattle. Learn about what to consider when selecting cover crops and how your choices can affect prevented planting payments.

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RMA Changes Haying, Grazing Deadline on Prevent Plant Acres Planted to Cover Crops

June 20, 2019

Farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres will be permitted to hay, graze or chop those fields earlier than November this year, USDA announced today. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) adjusted the 2019 final haying and grazing date from November 1 to September 1 to help farmers who were prevented from planting because of flooding and excess rainfall this spring.

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Andrea Basche in a field of cover crop planted into corn stubble

Cover Crop Research Team Receives Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant

June 3, 2019
Three agronomy faculty have been awarded a grant to develop a decision-support tool for the successful incorporation of cover crops into Nebraska cropping systems.

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Figure 1. University of Wisconsin researchers studied drilling cover crops into V5 corn. (Source: University of Wisconsin Integrated Pest and Crop Management)
Figure 1. University of Wisconsin researchers studied drilling cover crops into V5 corn. (Source: University of Wisconsin Integrated Pest and Crop Management)

Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn or Soybean

May 23, 2019
In some years it may be difficult to well establish a cover crop after corn harvest. This article surveys current research on interseeding into an established crop, further considerations, and how to test this practice on your farm.

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Nebraska cover crop selection tool

Nebraska Cover Crop Selector Tool Now Available

May 13, 2019
The Nebraska Cover Crop Selector Tool is now available, rating individual attributes for 47 cover crops and six mixes. The online tool is free and was collaboratively developed by Nebraska ag groups and the Midwest Cover Crops Council.

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Figure 1. A mixture of warm- and cool-season cover crops. (Aaron Hird, NRCS)
Figure 1. A mixture of warm- and cool-season cover crops. (Aaron Hird, NRCS)

Funds Available to Plant Severely Weather-Damaged Acres to Cover Crops

April 17, 2019
To help manage cropland damaged by Nebraska’s severe spring weather, NRCS is providing funds to plant cover crops on cropland acres. Cover crops prevent erosion, improve soil’s physical and biological properties, supply nutrients, and suppress weeds.

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