Mid-SepteMber 2009
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Benefits of cover crops
Rebuild Organic Matter and Soil Structure
800-801-3596
the major benefit of cover crops is the building of organic matter to the
soil. increased levels of organic matter influence soil humus which acts
Weed Suppression
like a sponge for water, nutirients. Humus also provides nourishment for
weeds flourish on bare soil. Cover crops take up space and light, thereby
soil microbs. the roots of cover crops capture nutrients especially nitro-
shading the soil and reducing the opportunity for weeds to establish
gen left over from row crops and store it in the plant instead of nutrients
themselves. the soil-loosening effect of deep-rooting green manures also
leaching through the soil.
reduces weed populations that thrive in compacted soils.
Nitrogen Production
Cover Crops in Rotation
nitrogen production from legumes is a key benefit of growing cover crops
Cover crops can fit well into many different cropping systems during peri-
and green manures. nitrogen accumulations by leguminous cover crops
ods of the year when no cash crop is being grown or has been harvested.
range from 40 to 200 lbs. of nitrogen per acre.
even the simplest corn/soybean rotation can accommodate a ryegrass
cover crop following corn, which will scavenge residual nitrogen and pro-
vide ground cover in the fall and winter.
THE BENEFITS OF OUR CROP COVER PRODUCTS...
KB Royal annual rye grass: Crimson Clover: Byron’s Nitrogreen South
• winter hardy • nitrogen Source : Can produce 70 to 150 # of • a mixture of tillage radishes, crimson clover,
• Bred for cover crop applications actual nitrogen in southern areas hairy vetch
• Fast establishing roots to capture nutrients • reseeding cultivars provide natural fertility to • Could produce 100 to 150 units of nitrogen
and hold soil corn per acre
• Fast ground cover to shade out weeds • weed suppressor: good ground cover to • Best used south of i 70
• Fast soil builder due to rapid root growth shade out noxious weeds Byron’s Nitrogreen North
Diakon Tillage Radishes: • green manure: will produce 2 to 4 ton of dry • winter hardy blend of tillage radishes, yellow
• Help alleviate soil compaction matter per acre sweet clover, med red clover, hairy vetch
• increase water infiltration Hairy Vetch: • Best used north of i 70
• Capture left over nitrogen • nitrogen Source: Can provide all nitrogen for • Could produce 100 to 150 units of nitrogen
• roots can grow up to 32 inches deep and be corn if allowed to bloom per acre
11/2 inch in diameter • weed suppressor: good ground cover to Byron’s Winter Comfort
• Diakon tillage radishes grow faster and deep- shade out noxious weeds • a very durable winter hardy mix
er than most oilseed radishes • top soil conditioner: a lot of biomass and • a blend of tillage radishes, rye, hairy vetch
Red Clover: deep roots increase soil organic matter • a proven soil builder
• nitrogen Source : can produce 70 to 150 # of KB Royal Annual Ryegrass Byron’s Soil Builder
actual nitrogen • winter hardy • the name says it all, a blend to build humus
• Soil builder : deep roots help break up soil • Bred for cover crop applications • legumes will build nitrogen
compaction • Fast establishing roots to capture nutrients • winter hardy mix
• weed suppressor: good ground cover to and hold soil • tillage radishes, crimson clover, hairy vetch,
shade out noxious weeds • Fast ground cover to shade out weeds annual ryegrass
• Forage: can be foraged before plowing or • Fast soil builder due to rapid root growth
killed off prior to next crop
• green manure: will produce 2 to 4 ton of dry Cereal Grains: Rye, Triticale, Wheat , Oats
matter per acre • nutrient Scavenger: Scavenge excess nutri-
yellow Sweet Clover: ents left over from cash crops
• Soil builder : deep roots help break up soil • weed suppressor: good ground cover to
compaction, build organic matter shade out noxious weeds
• nitrogen Source : can produce 50 to 100 # of • improve soil structure and drainage: Dense,
actual nitrogen shallow root allow water infiltration and tilth
• weed suppressor: good ground cover to • top soil conditioner: a lot of biomass and
shade out noxious weeds deep roots increase soil organic matter.
• green manure: will produce 2.5of dry matter
per acre, and roots as deep as 8 foot
• erosion Prevention: deep roots will hold
bare soil
NORTHERN INDIANA, NORTHERN ILLINOIS,
NORTHWEST OHIO, MICHIGAN
Bob Eash, Territory Manager
SOUTHERN INDIANA, OHIO, KENTUCKy & TENNESSEE
Office: 1-888-836-3697 • Cell: 1-260-336-2106
Dennis Brown, Territory Manager
www.bestforage.com
Office: 1-765-584-1342 • Cell: 1-765-546-2494
bobeash@kuntrynet.com
brownviewseeds@rcwifi.com
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