Nitrogen-fixing cover crops are an essential component of building productive, healthy soils on the farm. Through biological nitrogen fixation leguminous cover crops provide growers with a non-manure source of plant available nutrients. Nitrogen-fixing cover crops also protect soil from erosion, contribute to organic matter formation, reduce weed pressure, and break recurring pest and disease cycles.
Your choice of cover crop species or mixtures will depend on your crop rotation, what time of year you are planting and the potential benefits you hope to gain.
Hairy vetch is a winter annual (often planted with winter rye or oats) and is a good option for planting after early soybeans, wheat, canning vegetables or silage corn
If you are looking to grow the most N in a single season you may consider mammoth red clover, hairy vetch, yellow blossom sweet clover, AC Greenfix, plowdown alfalfa or our plowdown blend
For maximum green manure during the hot summer months or controlling stubborn weeds look into Berseem clover, crimson clover or a single season alfalfa
For a quick establishing cover crop you can plant field peas, crimson clover or Berseem clover
