Rigol DT
Strong root growth stabilizes the soil structure. Long-term proven in practice Very deep roots For compacted soils The cover crop mix Rigol DT is extremely effective in penetrating compacted soils as the plant types in the mix demonstrate intensive rooting activity. Numerous root channels are formed, which are used by the follow-on crop to rapidly…
BetaMaxx
Product Formula (by weight)
- 60% Oats
- 20% Annual Ryegrass
- 20% Crimson Clover
Best Uses
Winter cover crop, haylage, baleage, grazing.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 110-130lbs/A
- Seeding Depth: 1/4”-1/2”
- Seeding Dates: August through September.
Should have 6-8 weeks to get established before frost. Can also be planted in early spring.
Phacelia
Phacelia offers fast early development for quick, competitive canopy. It spreads very quickly across the ground and restricts the growth of weeds. It’s excellent for beneficial insects and works well as a cool season soil builder. Will make a good winter-killed cover crop to prepare the ground for an early spring planting. Recommended seeding rate:…
Mustard – Braco White
Key Features
- Brassica Cover Crop
- Rapid growth and weed suppres-sion.
- “Break Crop” and pest suppres-sor/bio-fumigator.
- Increases soil tilth with deep tap roots.
- Blooms and attracts beneficial insects.
Best Uses
Warm season cover crop and break crop.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 8-10lbs/Acre for max-imum biomass for a summer smother crop or to till in as a biofumigant. 15-20lbs an acre.
- Seeding Dates: Early spring, sum-mer, or early fall; mid-September if needed as a winter-killed mulch.
- Seeding Depth: 1/4”- 1/2”
- Speed: Slow establishment and growth.
Millet – Brown Top
At A Glance
- Drought tolerant
- Tolerates acidity
- Good Summer production
- Commonly used as a summer cover crop, but can be a one-cut summer forage.
- Wildlife refuge; seeds attract game birds.
- Less dry matter than sorghums and sorghum sudans
- Easy double cropping with cool season annual grasses and leg-umes.
- Mixtures with warm season grasses and legumes.
- Does well in warm moist condi-tions.
Uses
Cover Crop, Conservation, Wildlife Refuge, Grazing & Bailage.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 10-20lbs/Acre
- Large Seed Box Required
- Seeding Depth: Up to 1/2”
- Seeding Dates: Late Spring, plant when soils are 65 degrees and rising.
Buckwheat – VNS
Key Features
- Broadleaf cover crop
- Quick warm season “smother crop” to outcomepete weeds and improve soil.
- Flowers in about 3 weeks, can fit into any rotation any time in late spring through late summer.
- Less than ideal for forage use because of yield and nutritional value.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 50-70 lbs/Acre as a cover crop; up to 100lbs/A if broadcast.
- Seeding Dates: Buckwheat is a warm season annual. Plant buckwheat after all danger of frost is past. Buckwheat can germinate and grow at soil temperatures of 55 degrees or higher. Buckwheat is very susceptible to frost kill. Therefore, be aware of early spring planting dates where we may get germination and emergence and then a subsequent frost occurring would kill the crop.
Buckwheat – Lifago
Key Features
- Larger leaves and smaller seeds than VNS Buckwheat; later bloom
- Not recommended for pollinators (VNS nectar production is better for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. )
- Broadleaf cover crop
- Quick warm season “smother crop” to outcompete weeds and condition soil.
- Not recommended for forage use because of low dry matter yield and nutritional value.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 25-35lbs/Acre as a cover crop; up to 50lbs/A if broadcasted.
- Seeding Depth: 1/2”-1”
- Planting Dates: Buckwheat is a warm season annual. Plant buckwheat after all danger of frost is past. Buckwheat can germinate and grow at soil temperatures as low as 45 degrees but optimal growth occurs at soil temperatures of 55 degrees or higher. Buckwheat is very susceptible to frost kill. It is very frost sensitive and it doesn’t survive even light frosts. Therefore, be aware of early spring planting dates where we may get a frost after germination.
Clover – Common Medium Red
Key Features
- Short-lived, productive legume
- Large leaves and rapid establishment
- Drought and heat tolerant
- Fixes nitrogen, reducing fertilization costs.
- Medium and fine-textured soils are preferable over sandy or gravelly soils.
- Many establishment windows including frost seeding, spring seeding, and interseeding in corn at last cultivation.
Best Uses:Â Cover crop, rotational grazing, & wet hay.
Establishment
- Seeding rate:
- Pure stand: 15-20 lbs/a
- With grass: 8-10 lbs/a
- Frost-seed into grass: 10-12 lbs/a
- Depth: Surface—1/4”
Cow Peas – ‘Iron Clay’
At A Glance
- Warm season legume cover crop
- Fixes nitrogen
- Works well in mixes with sum-mer annual grasses like sudan-grass, millet, and corn.
- Also known as black eyed peas
Uses
- Summer Cover Crop, Grazing, Hay-lage, Baleage.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 40-60lbs/Acre (70-90lbs/Acre for northern areas or cooler, drier soils.)
- Large Seed Box Required
- Seeding Depth: 1 1/2” – 2 1/4”
- Seeding Dates: Late Spring, plant when soils are 65 degrees and rising.
Daikon Radish
Key Features
- Catch crop, break crop, nutrient scavenger.
- Deep tap root can reach far down in the soil and break up hard pans.
- Bio-driller and bio-fumigant
Best Uses
- Fall cover crop and green manure, grazing.
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 14 lbs/Acre
- Seeding Depth: 1/4” deep
- Planting Dates: Mid-August to mid September for maximum root growth; can also be planted in spring in warmer climates.
Recent Comments