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Now is the time for Midwest cover crop seeding

The director of agronomy for the Illinois Soybean Association says it’s time for Midwest farmers to plant cover crops.

Abigail Peterson tells Brownfield it’s prime seeding time for several species.

“If you have someone that can follow that combine and get in before the end of September, you’re still going to be sitting good with some oats, buckwheat, even getting the radishes out there, or the clovers, and mixing it with some of the over wintering cover crops like cereal rye,” she says.

She says cereal rye is one of the most popular choices, especially ahead of soybeans.

“Using strip till in cereal rye is a great value.”  She says, “Our springs are unpredictable, so if it’s wet, if it’s dry, having that strip clean really makes a difference in how that cash crop gets established. But also keeping the rows protected with something growing to really get as much biomass as we can without compromising that cash crop.”

She says the actual seeding can be done numerous ways.

“Just even broadcasting with your dry fertilizer is a good option.”  She says, “We usually recommend a light incorporation afterwards, but we do everything from the drone usage for an overseeding practice, to broadcasting, to the drill, to the air seeder, so it really fits any operation.”

Peterson says cover crop options start to diminish once the calendar hits October. 

AUDIO: Abigail Peterson – Illinois Soybean Association