Plant Winter Cover Crops to Stop Erosion – Ag Matters

As harvest begins to hit full swing, it's time to think about cover crops for the winter.  Jeff Miller with Cornell Cooperative Extension says one of the biggest benefits is fight soil erosion.

Cover crops provide foliar coverage that intercepts raindrops with root systems that hold the soil in place preventing erosion. They compete with and help to control winter annual weeds when planted in the fall. Live plants exude compounds from their roots that is food for soil microbes. Soil microbes produce the glue that helps soil particles stick together to form structure in the soil. Soil biota are responsible for breaking down crop residue into organic matter which increases the soils ability to hold onto water and nutrients.

When row crops are harvested leaving little crop residue like corn silage harvest, soil erosion is more likely. Planting a cover crop as soon after harvest as possible is a good investment of both your time and money. This year the cheapest seed that will be available in our area is bin run wheat. If you have access to a no-till drill then no-till the seed at 120lbs per acre. If you don’t have a no-till drill scratch up the soil surface by disking lightly and drill or broadcast the seed after tilling and use a roller to pack the seed and soil in the field.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension - Jeff Miller