BIOMASS COVER CROPS
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Seeding Rate ( lbs / acre ) |
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Species Name |
Drilled |
Broadcast 1 / Aerial |
In Mix |
Approx . Seeds / lb |
Seeding Date Range |
Seeding Depth |
Winter Kill 2 |
43
Winter Rye |
50-100 |
120-150 |
25-75 |
18,000 |
Aug . -Nov. |
1 '' |
NO |
Oats |
64-96 |
96-128 |
48-64 |
16,000 |
Mar . -May, Aug . -Sept. |
1 - 2 '' |
YES |
Annual / Italian Ryegrass |
15-20 |
20-30 |
4-5 |
227,000 |
Mar . -May, Aug . -Sept. |
¼ - ½ '' |
YES 2 |
Radish |
6-8 |
8-10 |
3-4 |
25,000 |
Aug . -Sept. |
¼ - ½ '' |
YES 2 |
Purple Top Turnips |
4-6 |
6-8 |
1-2 |
220,000 |
Mar . -May, July-Sept . |
¼ - ½ '' |
YES 2 |
Forage Rape |
4-8 |
8-10 |
1-2 |
145,000 |
Mar . -May, July-Sept . |
¼ - ½ '' |
YES 2 |
Mustard |
15-20 |
20-25 |
2-4 |
180,000 |
Feb . -Apr., Aug . -Sept. |
¼ - ¾ '' |
YES |
Phacelia |
7-12 |
Not Recommended |
3-5 |
220,000 |
Aug . -Sept. |
¼ '' |
YES |
Buckwheat |
45-100 |
55-125 / Aerial not advised . |
15-25 |
15,000 |
May-Aug . |
½ - 2 '' |
YES |
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1
Incorporating broadcast seed by dragging or lightly disking will increase successful germination .
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2 Winter kill success will vary . Typically dependent on severity of winter and snow cover . |
Cover Crop Radish *
Economical oilseed radish variety that will mitigate compaction and scavenge nutrients . Specifically bred for taproot production . Should not bolt in the fall . Customer feedback and our own trials have detected no difference in growth and development between this radish and other named radish brands . We blend this radish in our mixes because it has optimum performance and lowers overall seeding costs for our customers . Will winterkill in the upper-Midwest .
• Vigorous growth and taproot growth accumulates leachable nutrients , protects soil , improve infiltration and mitigate compaction
• Well adapted to all soil types , except wet areas .
• Plants will break down completely by spring ; no need for aggressive fall or spring tillage . Plan on light field cultivation in the spring for optimum seedbed prep .
• Not suitable for spring planting ; will bolt and shed seed
Price / lb
1-499 lb
500-1999 lb
2000 + lbs
Conventional $ 1.60 $ 1.45 $ 1.30 Organic $ 4.20 $ 4.05 $ 3.90
Pacific Gold Mustard
• Certified , Non-GMO variety of brown mustard bred specifically for cover cropping
• Excellent biomass production and rapid growth . Good competitive ability with weeds
• High levels of plant glucosinolates can reduce pathogenic soil fungi and nematodes . Chop or mow the mustard prior to incorporation to maximize effect
• Mustards do not thrive in mixtures with other cover crops
• Control plant before seed set to avoid volunteer
weed issues
Conventional Certified Blue Tag _______ $ 3.80 / lb $ 190.00 / 25lb bag
Yellow Mustard *
• Economical choice for cover cropping
• Good fit frost seeded before soybeans or flown on in the fall
• Control plant at first flower to avoid seed set and volunteer weed issues
Conventional ___________________ $ 1.10 / lb $ 55.00 / 50b bag
Tillage Radish
• The radish that started it all ; oilseed radish bred specifically for its long taproot
• Breaks up plowpan & loosens soil
• Excellent scavenger of N , P & Ca
• Non-bolting if planted in the fall
Price / lb
1-499 lb
500-1999 lb
2000 + lbs
Conventional $ 2.60 $ 2.45 $ 2.30
Purple Top Turnips
• Hardy , leafy , large-rooted brassica that produces abundant biomass above and below ground
• Excellent fall grazing potential
• Good competitor with weeds . Thrives on all soil types .
• Will scavenge N and other excess nutrients in the soil and prevent them from leaching
Conventional __________________ $ 1.60 / lb $ 80.00 / 50lb bag
Organic _______ Available August 2017 NEW !
Tillage Radish