Green Tip for Farmers: Use Cover Crops

Planting cover crops on the exposed soil of harvested cropland is one example of a simple yet very effective conservation practice.

Cover crops are usually planted in late summer or early fall soon after harvest is completed. Small grains like oats, wheat or rye are the common species planted. In spring, the over-winter cover crop residue is either tilled prior to planting, or in some cases the spring crop is no-till planted directly into the cover crop residues.

The establishment of a seasonal cover crop on exposed soil protects the environment by helping to reduce soil erosion and surface water pollution, and it also ties up unused nutrients so they cannot leach through the soil and pollute groundwater. Cover crops also provide benefits to the farmer by increasing soil organic matter, by providing natural weed suppression and by improving soil moisture management.

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Source: Daily Citizen

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