Michigan State Univ. extension educator Dan Hudson published the following about cover crops. To view the entire presentation, click here:
Here are the main points, both about the benefits of cover crops and that of annual ryegrass and crimson clover:
Reasons for Cover Crops - Farmer Perspective
Strong
• Improve yield or profit
• Fix/scavenge nitrogen
• Improve soil quality
– OM, [...]
Continue reading about Michigan State Studies Annual Ryegrass and Crimson Clover as Cover Crops
Dormant seeding, or “frost seeding,” - a cover crop is much less common than seeding in late summer, after harvest. But Michigan grower Larry Bonnell shared his dormant seeding success with No-Till Farmer magazine this week. He is talking about annual ryegrass. Here’s an excerpt, which you can access by logging on to No-Till Farmer.
“I [...]
Continue reading about Michigan Farmers Talks Success With Dormant Seeding of Annual Ryegrass
The Midwest Cover Crop Council’s conference last week - where 120 people from 13 states came to talk about cover crops - is the latest indication of the growing excitement in reducing conventional tillage in favor of no-till and cover crops. Cover crops save money (in fact, there are financial incentives available) and boost crop [...]
Continue reading about Bumper Crop of New Interest in Cover Crops - including Annual Ryegrass
In the last year, Penn State conducted tests on various nine cover crop species, including annual ryegrass, as well as eight mixtures. The tests took place on 374 plots through the state. Click here to see the power point presentation.
The advantages listed on annual ryegrass include:
low seed cost
vigorous root system
high forage quality (if needed)
The advantage [...]
Continue reading about Penn State’s Cover Crop Demonstrations - Annual Ryegrass Values
Most of the farmers I’ve met this week at the Pennsylvania No-Till training are in the dairy business, even though some are getting out due to the low price of milk the last couple years. Some are putting in row crops, which would change a lot of management practices.
According to folks from Penn State, the [...]
Continue reading about Pennsylvania No-Till Farmers Consider Cover Crops
The late harvest, combined with a wet fall, has made conventional tillage more difficult. Those risking tillage would probably add to compaction issues. But late harvest has also hampered planting cover crops this year. Here are a couple of things to consider, either for later this year or next summer.
1. Dormant seeding of annual ryegrass [...]
Continue reading about Wet Weather Reduces Tillage - Farmers Consider No-Till with Annual Ryegrass
