One important benefit of cover crops to our production system is providing an alternative selection pressure on weed populations. Cereal rye has the best potential to suppress weeds because it accumulates more biomass than other cover crop species. Read more in this article from Iowa State University Extension.

With significant weather-related damage to corn and soybean fields in Nebraska recently, there could be an opportunity for growers to try seeding cover crops in those fields to raise a high-quality forage and offset at least some of the lost fall and winter grazing potential, says University of Nebraska Extension.

Bred in New Zealand specifically for cover crop and soil health purposes, Smart Radish promises higher tillering and more biomass below ground, the company says.

Designing better roots is an important avenue to increase yield, reduce fertilizer use and promote soil health, says Larry York at the Noble Research Institute.

A Texas farm was recently recognized with an environmental award after switching to no-till practices 17 years ago rather than kicking up dust annually.

Arranging cover crop species to occupy differing height zones can minimize interspecies competition and improve productivity, especially when low-growing species are included.