The Blesh Soil and Agroecosystems Lab at the University of Michigan is seeking farmers in Michigan, Ohio, Illinopis, Indiana and Wisconsin to participate in a citizen science study investigating variation in cover crop growth across different farming conditions.

Even though the risk of failure increases with later cover-crop planting dates, establishment costs for many small grain cover crops are often low enough that successful years — years where rye establishes and grows well — often outweigh the years when failure occurs, says Nebraska Extension.

With cold spring conditions this year, cover crop plant growth has been delayed and questions have come up as to whether that should affect timing of cover crop termination. Nebraska Extension shares some tips on this issue.