Farmers in Wisconsin are constantly looking for ways to improve profitability and productivity of their farming systems while still protecting soil and water resources. Cover crops are one tool that can provide a wealth of benefits into our Wisconsin crop rotations. Cover crops can enhance soil quality by increasing soil organic matter, stimulating greater soil biological activity, reducing soil erosion and utilizing extra soil nutrients.

The University of Wisconsin - Discovery Farms Program has monitored on-farm water quality from crop fields since 2001.  Data from several farms across the state show that a significant amount of annual nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment losses occur either before vegetative canopy in the spring or in the fall after crop harvest.  Cover crops can provide protection for the soil during critical times when cropland is more vulnerable to nutrient and sediment losses.

Below are factsheets and helpful resources when trying to decide how and when cover crops may fit into your management system.

Video courtesy of Sand County Foundation's YouTube page. 

Helpful Links:

Michigan State University's Cover Crops Education Page

Midwest Cover Crops Council

Frost Seeding Clover into Winter Wheat - Published by University of Wisconsin

Winter Rye after Corn Silage - Published by University of Wisconsin

Also find articles of interest on cover crops in the following newsletters: January and May 2010, June 2009