Midwest Cover Crop Council

Drilled Seeding Depth:: 1/4 - 1/2 inches
Drilled Seeding Rate:: 10-15 lb./A PLS
Broadcast Seeding Rate:: 12-15 lb./A PLS
Aerial Seeding Rate:: 12-18 lb./A PLS
Seed Count:: 190,000 Seeds/lb
Frost Seed:: Yes
Fly-free Date:: No
Inoculation Type:: none
Comments:: 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 treatments are available if slugs are a problem when aerial seeding but if the system is organic be sure the treatment is certified for use in organic systems.

Termination Methods:: Tillage, Chemical
Comments:: Follow NRCS guidelines for cover crop termination dates for crop insurance. If terminating with only tillage, multiple passes often required. May take two or more applications to chemically terminate. Do not plant a mix of varieties and follow best spray practices or termination may not be complete. Usually overwinters Generally not recommended except for specific uses and by highly experienced producers.

Legume Nitrogen Source:: Poor
Total Nitrogen:: 0 lbs./A
Dry Matter:: 2000-6000 lbs./A/year
Nitrogen Scavenger:: Excellent
Soil Builder:: Excellent
Erosion Fighter:: Excellent
Weed Fighter:: Very Good
Good Grazing:: Excellent
Quick Growth:: Very Good
Lasting Residue:: Good
Mechanical Forage Harvest:: Excellent
Grain Seed Harvest:: Poor
Cash Crop Interseed:: Excellent
Comments:: Dry matter highly dependent on planting and termination date and precipitation. Rapid establishment. Non host for root knot nematode, soybean cyst nematode and sugarbeet cyst nematode. Excellent deep fibrous rooting plant.

Scientific Name:: Lolium multiflorum
Life Cycle:: Winter Annual
Growth Habit:: Upright
Preferred Soil pH:: 5.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.:: 40F
Heat Tolerance:: Fair
Drought Tolerance:: Fair
Shade Tolerance:: Very Good
Flood Tolerance:: Excellent
Low Fertility Tolerance:: Good
Winter Survival:: Expected
Comments:: Great variation in varietal winter hardiness Snow cover may enhance survival hardiest varieties may also survive winter

Soil Impact - Subsoiler:: Excellent
Soil Impact - Frees P and K:: Excellent
Soil Impact - Loosens Topsoil:: Excellent
Soil Ecology - Nematodes:: Fair
Soil Ecology - Disease:: Good
Soil Ecology - Allelopathic:: Poor
Soil Ecology - Choke Weeds:: Excellent
Other - Attract Beneficials:: Fair
Other - Bears Traffic:: Excellent
Other - Short Windows:: Excellent
Comments:: Rapid establishment. Non host for root knot nematode, soybean cyst nematode and sugarbeet cyst nematode. Difficult to dry for hay. Baleage is preferred. Can help reduce fragipans after multiple years of use.

Delayed Emergence:: Could be a moderate problem
Increased Weed Potential:: Could be a moderate problem
Increased Insects/Nematodes:: Could be a minor problem
Increased Crop Diseases:: Occasionally a minor problem
Hinders Crops:: Could be a minor problem
Establishment Challenges:: Occasionally a minor problem
Mature Incorporation Challenges:: Could be a minor problem
Comments Pro/Con:: If mowing, leave 3-4" to ensure regrowth; Must be killed before it joints or after heading. Could increase risk of spring cut worm and potato stem borer. More difficult to kill after jointing and when temperatures are cool. Host for Penetrans Root-Lesion Nematode. Weed potential could be a problem if variety is not known. May be hard to kill with glyphosate. Some data suggest that annual ryegrass was less effective at reducing marestail than barley or cereal rye.