Cover crops can be used for different reasons, such as to provide soil erosion protection, alleviate compaction, control weeds, fix atmospheric nitrogen for the next crop, harvest for hay, and as a grazing resource. The reason for using a cover crop will determine which species or mixture of species you choose, as well as how you manage it.

Kevin Shelley, from the University of Wisconsin’s Nutrient and Pest Management Program, tours multiple cover crop demonstration plots and provides a fundamental overview of crop benefits, with growth expectations, timing, challenges and costs.

Russ Wilson, from northwest Pennsylvania, uses 3 different species of grazing animals and 73 different plant species in a continuous no-tillage system to improve soil health and farm productivity.