I noticed these recent posts on No-Till Farmer’s website - growers recognizing the value of cover crops to prevent erosion. Note that in the second case, he’s using cover crops on waterways, as well as on crop lands.
Dan Gillespie is a no-tiller at Meadow Grove, Neb., and state NRCS no-till specialist. At this time, [...]
Continue reading about Annual Ryegrass and other Cover Crops - Erosion Control Plus
A grower from Kentucky wrote recently about his use of annual ryegrass as a cover crop:
I think one of the keys to winter survival of Ryegrass is to NOT put nitrogen on it in the fall. Nitrogen causes a plant to take on a lot of water. What happens when water freezes? It expands and [...]
Continue reading about Nitrogen Use with Annual Ryegrass in the Fall - To do or Not to do?
Roger Wenning, a Greensburg, IN farmer and cover crop advocate recently held a field day to measure root depth of annual ryegrass planted as a cover crop at various dates last fall and winter.
Wenning is one of 40 or so “Innovators” featured in a report by Dr. Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University professor. That report is available on [...]
Continue reading about Indiana Field Day Examines Annual Ryegrass Root Depth Results
Jamie and Jim Scott, of J.A. Scott Farms in Pierceton, IN, have been recognized as innovators and it has paid off in soil health, crop productivity and new business for them. (The American Soybean Association, in 2008, awarded them the Conservationist of the Year for their use of no-till with cover crops and a variety [...]
Continue reading about On-farm Research - Getting Info to Aid in Good Cover Crop Production
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
Over the past few years, severe Midwest winters (deep freeze with no snow; freeze/thaw/freeze cycles, etc.) have created problems for lots of cover crops, since most are not immune to winterkill.
During a “normal” winter - one with moderate temps and snowfall - almost ANY annual ryegrass seed will germinate in the fall and be ready [...]
Continue reading about Annual Ryegrass Variety Trial to Test Winter Hardiness
