Glenn Harsh, a grower from Delaware County, Ohio, is well versed in cover cropping, and is a big proponent of planting green, “We find soil is dryer when you plant green then if you kill it a couple of weeks ahead.” Harsh, however, understands the challenges that come with planting green, but states soybeans are easier to manage when they are planted into cover crops. He uses a mix composed of cereal rye, annual rye, tillage radish, clover, and rape seed; each serving a particular purpose. Cereal rye grows taller and later into the season; annual rye does not have much biomass, but does create an extensive root system; clover puts nitrogen back into the soil; and tillage radish and rapseed are good at breaking up soil. One of the best benefits of cover crops is the increased infiltration of water, Harsh states, “We have seen payoff in better water infiltration and more water holding capacity and getting rid of water during major rain events. Once you get through these hurdles you get stability with better soil health and the residue out there. Those are big positives that pay dividends economically.” Read the full article here!
