Cover Crops Prove Valuable for Soil Protection

By Scout Nelson

As the corn and soybean season closes, growers are reminded that fall is also a good time to consider planting cover crops. With recent soil losses caused by wind erosion, Minnesota research highlights how cover crops can protect soil and support long-term productivity.

Field trials tested oats, cereal rye, and other mixes to evaluate biomass, seeding rates, and establishment methods. Oats mixed with radish performed consistently well, producing between 850 to 3,000 pounds of biomass per acre depending on location. Researchers emphasized oats as a fast-growing option that winter-kills and reduces pest concerns.

Cereal rye also showed strong performance across different seeding rates. Trials at multiple research centers found that rates between 15 and 135 pounds per acre did not significantly change spring biomass production. Instead, timing of termination played a larger role in biomass results. Even low-cost rates of 27 pounds per acre provided effective ground cover, making rye a cost-efficient replacement for fall tillage.

Other mixes, such as field pea, oats, buckwheat, and vetch, showed variable success, with rye and vetch dominating spring biomass. Winter barley and some pea mixes, however, produced very little growth before winter-killing.

Drone seeding was tested as a labor-saving option but produced weak results under dry conditions, yielding less than 200 pounds of biomass per acre. Researchers noted that while aerial seeding may save time, it is riskier than drilling and usually requires higher seeding rates.

Spring-planted cover crops were also evaluated. In one Lamberton plot, a rye, oat, and flax mix planted in early April delivered more than 1,500 pounds of biomass before June termination.

While the economic return of cover crops is still being measured, their role in protecting soil and improving water management makes them an important long-term investment. The findings suggest oats and rye remain the most reliable choices for Minnesota farmers seeking effective cover crop options.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev