Want to plant cover crops this spring?
Farmers are increasingly looking to cover crops to improve soil and plant health. Tim Reinbott is superintendent of the University of Missouri's Bradford REsearch and Extension Center.
He tells Brownfield Ag News, "This spring, I'd jump on planting some spring oats and then follow that with your regular corn and soybeans. Then, if you're planting wheat that gives you some wonderful opportunities after wheat harvest."
He says buckwheat, sunflowers, millet, cowpeas and all kinds of summer type plants would make good cover crops after wheat. Traditionally, cover crops are planted in the fall.typically winter annual legumes like hairy vetch and crimson clover.
Reinbott says their research is finding cover crops not only help with nitrogen in the soil, they greatly increase water infiltration, helping rainfall more easily soak into the soil - a necessity given the drought.
Reinbott says the Bradford Center is planning to announce a Cover Crop workshop for some time in May.
Source: brownfieldagnews.com