Forage Cover Crops

Cover crop plots — Figure 1. Some of the six cover crop mixes featured on the Sept. 25 cover crop field day, each planted for a specific purpose. Diversity is important in cover crops to help feed the soil system. (Photo by Paul Jasa)

Cover Crop Field Day Monday, Sept. 25 near Lincoln September 15, 2017

View six cover crop mixes seeded after wheat harvest, each planted for a specific objective, as well as how fertilizer affects biomass production. See also how planting date affects biomass production. Includes a no-till drill demonstration and various legume cover crops for nitrogen fixation.

Figure 1. At the Rob and Trent Bohling Farm near Johnson a cover crop mix of oats, turnips, radishes, and volunteer wheat was planted after wheat and is being compared with an area with no cover crop. The experiment is to evaluate and compare crop yields and soil properties among three systems: cover crops, cover crops followed by grazing, and no cover crop. (Photos by Gary Lesoing)

Cover Crop Field Day and Tour Sept. 19 in Southeast Nebraska September 14, 2017

Nebraska Extension, North Central SARE, NRCS, and the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition are sponsoring a Cover Crop Field Day and Tour Tuesday, September 19 in southeast Nebraska. View multiple cover crop mixes and hear from researchers studying various aspects of their production and use.

Review Herbicide Restrictions Before Planting Forage Cover Crops September 8, 2017

Forage cover crops after corn or soybean have restrictive plant-back restrictions. These two Nebraska Extension resources offer further information on what to check before planting cover crops this fall.

Market Journal on Cover Crops and Weed Control, Drones, and Making Silage September 8, 2017

View segments from the Sept. 8 Market Journal, including one with Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems Specialist Rodrigo Werle on cover crops and weed control.

Cattle grazing cover crops — Figure 1. An August 9 Nebraska Extension event offers a chance for cattle and cover crop producers to learn and network about potential opportunities. (Photo by Mary Drewnoski)

Cover Crop Event Brings Together Farmers and Cattle Operators July 18, 2017

Farmers and livestock feeders interested in growing and using cover crops can learn and network with each other at an event 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 9, during the Lancaster County Super Fair.

Successfully Seeding Forages into Wheat Stubble June 22, 2017

Wheat stubble can be an excellent seedbed in which to no-till plant forages, particularly if you're preparing to start planting immediately after wheat harvest, while soil water is available and before weeds get a foothold.

Cover Crop Forage Field Day Aug. 25 near Boelus August 3, 2016

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is hosting a Cover Crop Field Day Aug. 25 to focus on using cover crops to both improve the soil and produce forage. Lease agreements for cover crop grazing also will be addressed.

Herbicide Options for Planting Forage Cover Crops after Corn and Soybean March 18, 2016

Cover crop adoption is continuing to increase throughout Nebraska. Respondents to the 2015 cover crop survey conducted during Nebraska extension meetings indicated the top five desired benefits from cover crops are