Cover Crops

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Growing cover crops in otherwise fallow fields can prevent erosion, improve soil health, provide forage and help control weeds. The information below can help you make informed decisions on when, where, and how to plant cover crops. We also listed other things to take into consideration when including cover crops in your farming system.

The related articles at the bottom of the page are weekly published short stories on all things cover crops and soil health.

Related Articles

Cattle grazing pasture
The 2023 Cover Crop Grazing Conference will feature keynote speakers Dr. Bart Lardner, University of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nebraska Extension Provides Cover Crop Grazing Conference Nov. 7

October 12, 2023
This expo will help first-time and experienced farmers looking to fine-tune their grazing management utilizing cover crops as an alternative forage source.

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Orchard with mustard cover crop
Figure 1.A comparison of bare ground vs. cover crop for two adjacent almond orchards after receiving 3/4-inch of rain. The grower, Donny Hicks, used mustards to breakup compaction and improve infiltration in his orchard soil. (Photo courtesy Donny Hicks)

The Soil Health Exchange: Natural Solutions to Soil Compaction — Beyond Mechanical Means and Cover Crops

October 5, 2023
Soil health experts share techniques for reducing soil compaction without the use of long-term cover crops.

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Tractor with seeder in field

Growing Results: Cover Crop Interseeding

September 28, 2023
Partnering with Nebraska On-Farm Research Network, North Platte farmer Cameron Kolling is conducting research this year on interseeding a variety of cover crops in corn.

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Vesh Raj Thapa stands near soil sample display
Vesh Raj Thapa, UNL post-doctoral research assistant, stands behind root samples from the plots at WREEC in North Platte. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

根,nother Important Aspect of Cover Crops

September 19, 2023
Researchers involved in a UNL-USDA NRCS study on cover crops highlight the importance of species selection, as each type of cover crop has a unique root system that contributes differently to soil health.

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Cattle grazing field
Cattle grazing cereal rye cover crop near Tecumseh. (CropWatch file photo)

Pasture and Forage Minute: Planning Cover Crops, Testing Hay Quality and Nitrate Management

September 12, 2023
Tips on selecting and planting cover crops, managing nitrate risks while grazing annuals, and preparing hay samples for testing.

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