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“Planting green” catching on

As more Midwestern farmers utilize cover crops, the practice of “planting green” is increasing in popularity.

Southern Illinois farmer Dale Haudrich says he’s seen many benefits planting into a standing cover crop…

“We will plant green into it.”  He says, “It just lays down a nice mat for the crops to come up through as well as keeps the soil a little cooler, and really in past years my experience has been very good as far as the return on investment.”

Haudrich says weed suppression is another benefit…

“Laying down that mat does help with pulling the weeds back.”  He says, “Rye crops is what I use, and it helps to negate the ability for the weed seeds to germinate. And by the time they do, they’re so far under the canopy of the new crop that they pretty much don’t have a chance.”

Central Illinois farmer Derek Martin has utilized the practice for several years, and tells Brownfield…

“And that’s the thing I recommend, you know, you want to start with something you’re comfortable with in case you do have an odd spring.”  He says, “You know, so it doesn’t get out of hand on you and you’re not prepared to handle it.”

Both farmers recommend terminating the cover crop as soon after planting as possible.

AUDIO: Derek Martin – Central IL farmer