If you are considering implementing winter cover crops into your crop rotation this fall, the single biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to plan, plan, plan.
The potential benefits of cover crops can be easily lost if you do not take the time to develop an effective cover crop management plan that involves cover crop variety selection, planting date, seeding rate and cover crop termination method and timing.
There are a multitude of benefits that can be realized from the implementation of winter cover crops into production systems in Arkansas. The impact/potential benefits can vary based on location and cash crop, but include erosion control, nutrient retention, weed suppression, crusting prevention and increased water retention.
In my opinion, one of the greatest benefits that can be realized from the use of cover crops is the reduction in sediment loss to our primary and secondary waterways in the state.
Sedimentation and turbidity are two of the primary impairments seen in many waterways across the state and is a direct result of erosion from cropland. In order to help you develop an effective winter cover crop management plan, ask yourself the following questions:
