Basic Cover Crop Mix

Description

Basic CC Mix is a mixture of cereal rye + Tillage Radish®.

Basic CC meets the objectives of nutrient scavenging, erosion control, weed suppression and soil building.  Perfect for the first time cover cropper; radish winter kills in many regions & cereal rye is fairly easy to control.  Works well in many parts of the country and in marginal soil environments.  Ideal after silage harvest or before/after fall manure applications.

Planting window:  3-10 weeks before frost

Seeding rate:  30-35 lbs/acre alone (7.5″ rows); 40-50 lbs/acre for forage

Seeding depth:  ¼” to 1″ deep

Comparable setting on drill chart:  wheat (use large box)

Germination soil temperature:  45° F

DM tons/acre:  2-5

Considerations:  When seeded early in summer, additional grains or grass will need to be added to compete against radish growth.  Rye can tie up Nitrogen and other nutrients.  Controlling rye early results in less nutrients tie-up and conserves more water.

Benefits:  scale 1-5, 5=best

• Compaction Alleviation      5
• Weed suppression               5
• Biomass production            5
• Erosion control                    4
• Disease/Pest control          3
• Pollinator/Beneficials        2
• P & K Cycling                       4
• Ease of Establishment       4

Termination:  Rye can be controlled with traditional glyphosate rates prior to 12-18″ growth.  2′ tall rye should be controlled with roller or crimper.  If mowing, wait until rye begins to flower.  Radish will terminate with multiple nights in the teens.  If radish survive, glyphosate and 2,4-D offer an effective control method.