If participating in a cost share program, check for specific required planting dates and rates. If used for forage/grazing increasing seeding rate is recommended. Success of overseeding or aerial seeding after main crop maturity and before harvest is dependent on rainfall and although it can work well, it is usually less dependable than drilling or soil incorporation of seed. Do not save patented seed. When interseeding, time seeding to match appropriate crop growth/maturity. If planting in 15 or 30in rows, use the low end of the drilled seeding rate. Seed weight varies with variety.
Use a low seeding rate for areas with sandy soil, or prone to dry periods in early spring.
Follow NRCS guidelines for cover crop termination dates for crop insurance. If terminating with only tillage, multiple passes often required. Mow of crimp during reproductive stage (full bloom). Roller crimping is the most difficult/variable termination method. Use caution to completely terminate cereal rye in a timely fashion in wheat growing areas to prevent volunteering and contamination of adjoining and future cereal crops. Adjust termination dates based on soil moisture. Can become a weed if not completely terminated; may be difficult to terminate with tillage; best if terminated when plants are small except when rolling/crimping. Terminate at least 2 weeks before planting corn.
Dry matter highly dependent on planting and termination date and precipitation. Non host for root knot nematode, soybean cyst nematode and sugarbeet cyst nematode.
Bears traffic very well when drilled; more susceptible to heavy traffic when aerially seeded.
Bears the weight of tractor traffic but may be killed by the traffic of heavy farm equipment like choppers; fine if drilled but vulnerable to equipment traffic if aerially seeded (as into corn silage).
Cool season cereals have been some of the best weed suppression cover crops.
Great spring production when established in the fall.
Cereal rye has the longest fall planting window of all cover crops. Non host for root knot nematode, soybean cyst nematode and sugarbeet cyst nematode.
Bears traffic very well when drilled; more susceptible to heavy traffic when aerially seeded.
Bears the weight of tractor traffic but may be killed by the traffic of heavy farm equipment like choppers; fine if drilled but vulnerable to equipment traffic if aerially seeded (as into corn silage).
Major host for root lesion nematode.
Cool season cereals have been some of the best weed suppression cover crops.
Mow-kills after heading;
Can become a weed if not completely terminated;
may be difficult to terminate with tillage; Could increase risk of spring cut worm and potato stem borer.
Mow-kills after heading;
Host for Penetrans Root-Lesion Nematode.
If alfalfa is to be planted after the small grain, kill small grain volunteer plants with an herbicide.
Terminate at least 2 weeks before planting corn.
Additional Information
Additional Information from Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition, Edited by Andy Clark, Sustainable Agriculture Network See the complete reference here