Greg Rebman of Frederick, Illinois has 100 percent of his crop ground covered with his go-to cover crop: cereal rye. This spring he will plant both corn and soybeans into the rye residue. Reflecting on what he’s learned since his start with cover crops in 2014, he says, “People will spend money on tillage equipment that does the same thing that cover crops do.”

Terminating Rye: When planting corn into rye Greg says, “I will terminate prior to planting or right after; I don’t like the rye to get taller than knee-high ahead of corn.” For soybeans he will allow the rye to get chest high, when the rye is starting to head out but before the pollination stage. He notes, “Rye uses a lot of water, which has more of a detriment to corn than soybeans, but can affect yields for both.” He encourages, “whatever you are planting, be nimble, if it's turning out dry, get the rye down.” Greg primarily terminates using glyphosate as his first choice or glufosinate (Liberty) as a close second choice. 

Avoiding N Tie-Up: At planting Greg applies 30 pounds of liquid nitrogen to avoid N tie-up with rye ahead of corn. He recommends using between 30 to 60 pounds of N at planting, stating “beyond that could cause burn, reducing herbicide efficacy.”

Planter Adjustments: Having more down pressure is a must for Greg. “I’ve been no-tilling long enough now that the ground is pretty firm, but has increasing water infiltration.” For increased down pressure, he uses a 2007 Kinze 3600 split-row planter with down pressure springs. He notes, “I use Copperhead closing wheels for corn but not beans.” Greg uses a no-till cutter at planting, but does not use row cleaners.

The program website notes, "Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa have existing programs for producers to receive a premium benefit for planting cover crops. Producers who participate in one of these programs can receive an additional benefit through PCCP." To apply, contact your local USDA Service Center.

Jeremy Gustafson of Boone, Iowa plants no-till soybeans into a living rye cover.

Read this PFI blog article with tips from PFI members for avoiding corn yield drag after a cereal rye cover. 

In a virtual shop visit Paul Jasa walked through planter set-up and adjustments.

In 2021, farmers Jack Boyer, Eric Fynaardt, Kevin Holl and Rob Stout conducted strip trials for a second year to test the effect of cereal rye cover crop termination date on corn disease pressure and corn yield.

They each compared terminating the cover crop before planting corn to terminating the cover crop after planting corn. See the results!

Attend virtual meet-ups on Mondays in March to learn and share experiences on being “lean and green” in long-term soil health systems.

On Monday, March 7, Haley Deering of Postville, Iowa will share her experiences on grazing cover crops. 

On March 14 we will hear from Willie Hughes and Erin Silva about organic production.

Bring your thoughts and questions to share from 6:30 to 8 p.m.!

With over 10 years of experience with cover crops, Pella-area farmers Arvin and Laura Vos have zeroed in spring management of covers: from termination timing, to planter set-up, to nitrogen management of rye ahead of corn. At this field day, Arvin will share his experiences and lessons learned with managing cover crops in the spring. 

The field day will be on a farm outside of Pella, IA. Lunch will be served. RSVP by March 15.

March 7: Conference - Midwest Cover Crops Council Annual Meeting

Hosted by: Midwest Cover Crops Council 

March 7-11: Virtual Event - Soil Health Week 

Hosted by: Illinois Stewardship Alliance

March 8: Webinar - Cover Crops & Spring Management

Hosted by: ILSoy Advisor, Abigail Peterson & Jim Isermann

March 8-9: Conference - Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference

Hosted by: Ohio State University

March 15: Webinar - Cash Crop Planting and Cover Crop Management

Hosted by: Midwest Cover Crops Council, Barry Fisher & Shalamar Armstrong

March 22: Webinar - Cover Crop Economics and Pest Issues

Hosted by: Midwest Cover Crops Council, Rob Myers, & TBD Speaker

March 23: Field Day - Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day

Hosted by: ISU Extension & Outreach, Iowa Learning Farms and USDA NRCS

March 29: Webinar - Cover Crop Grazing and Cover Crop Wildlife Impacts

Hosted by: Midwest Cover Crops Council, Ray McCormick & TBD Speaker

Want to host a cover crop meet up? Are you planning or hosting a cover crop event? Contact taylor@practicalfarmers.org to plan something or to promote your event.

Send us your cover crop poll ideas! We want to know what YOU want to know. Reply to this email with your ideas for the next poll.