When it comes to protecting the health of your soil and your growing operation, few things are better than cover crops. Recent studies have shown that planting cover crops can increase soil water infiltration by 40% and reduce runoff by 40%, protecting the ecosystem along the way.
Which cover crops are best for your particular farm, though? A newly-launched online tool can help answer those questions. The so-called “Cover Crop Selector” is a free program that recommends a range of cover crops based upon your growing window, soil type, and local climate conditions. Collaboratively developed by the Western Cover Crops Council, Precision Sustainable Agriculture, and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Cover Crop Selector does more than advise growers about which crops to use; it also features comprehensive information for each species, from basic agronomics to growth habits, planting advice, soil conditions, environmental tolerances, and termination.
Check out the online platform here: https://westerncovercrops.org/decision-tools/.
We’re big supporters of the Cover Crop Selector, but we know that nothing beats a face-to-face conversation. If you need a partner in your cover crop journey, please visit one of our supply centers. We don’t just offer expert advice; we’re also fully stocked with all the planting tools you’ll need to get those crops into the ground.