Cover Crops After Wheat

Cover Crops After Wheat


August 13, 2023

While cover crops alone can’t work magic, they can be part of a program to address issues like:

  • Compaction or plow pan
  • Wind and water erosion
  • Nitrogen loss
  • Poor soil structure
  • Poor organic matter
  • Weed control

Following wheat harvest is the easiest way to get started with cover crops, and there are a number of different ways to go about implementing your cover crop plan.

Here is a list of important things to remember:

Have a goal

  • Are you looking for erosion control, nitrogen production, or compaction remediation?
  • Plowdown or livestock grazing?

Have a plan for establishment and termination

  • Drill or broadcast?
  • Do you want an overwintering crop or one that winterkills?
  • Is the species you use hard to kill or simple burndown

Know your cover crop species

  • You aren’t looking for weed problems next season if the covers go to seed
  • Some are easier to get established than others
  • Some are easier to control than others

Start simple

  • Oats and radish are easy to establish and winterkill
  • Sunflowers can add some nice roots and look pretty
  • Get comfortable with covers before trying something extravagant and being disappointed if it doesn’t work out immediately

A great resource to get started on your journey is with the Cover Crop Decision Tool.

Still have questions or need help implementing your plan? TALK TO US!