WCCC Cover Crop Selection Tool

Cover Crop Performance Trials

• NRCS Cover Crop Trials – These trial reports from NRCS Plant Materials Centers provide detailed information from sites around the U.S (NRCS Technical Notes)
  • USDA NRCS Irrigated Warm Season Cover Crops for Western Oregon
  • USDA NRCS Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in the Northwest
  • USDA NRCS Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in the Southwest Region
  • USDA NRCS Evaluation of Spring Seeded Cover Crops in Colorado, Montana, and North Dakota
• NRCS PLANTS Database – The PLANTS database is a searchable tool to find information and Plant Guides for specific species of plant.
  • NRCS PLANTS Cover Crops – This page is a extensive list of cover crop species and information on characteristics, geographical distribution, classification, and more.
• Cover Crop Varieties in the Sacramento Valley – Learn about the performance of different cover crop varieties grown at various demonstration sites in the Sacramento Valley (Article) 
• Nevada Winter Cover Crop Trial Report – Learn about the performance of different cover crop varieties grown at various demonstration sites in the Sacramento Valley (Article) 
• Winter Cover Crops for Nevada Agriculture – This report highlights several cover crop varieties that were successful and their performance in cold Nevada winters (Extension Publication)
• On-Farm Cover Crop Trial Protocols – These protocols were developed with funding from USDA WSARE to support on-farm cover crop trials (Article)

Pacific Islands Resources

• Cover Crop Options for Hot and Humid Areas – This article describes different cover crop species that thrive in hot and humid regions such as Hawaii (Journal Article)
• Cover Crop Chart for Hawaii – Reference this resource for a comparison table of Hawaiian cover crops that helps you identify what species to use based on your specifications (website)
• The Hawaii Cover Crop Handbook – This cover crop handbook is a comprehensive guide on cover cropping options, benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies in Hawaii (website)

Pacific Northwest Resources

• Using Cover Crops in Oregon – This archived publication describes a wide variety of cover crops used in Oregon (Extension Publication) 
• Pacific Northwest Cover Crop Selection Tool – This cover crop selection tool was developed by NRCS for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to assist growers in selecting a suitable cover crop species for their needs (website)

Southwest Resources

UCANR Cover Crops Database – This classic database describes many cover crop species that are commonly grown in California (website) 

• California Native Species as Cover Crops – This table compares the characteristics of the many California Native Species that can be used as cover crops (website) 

• Webinar: Selecting and Managing Cover Crops for Rotations in the Western Region – This eOrganic webinar features research-based guidance on practical methods for selecting and managing cover crops (video) 

• Summer Cover Crop Use in Arizona Vegetable Production Systems – Learn about cover crop options that perform well in the hot and dry summer months (Extension Publication) 

Mountain Range Resources

• Principles of Cover Cropping for Arid and Semi-Arid Farming Systems – This publication from New Mexico State University summarizes different cover cropping strategies and species for arid and semi-arid environments (Extension Publication)
• Cover Crops for Utah – This article highlights the overall process of growing cover crops from species selection to termination strategies and calculating Nitrogen contribution (Extension Publication) 

National Cover Crop Resources

• Soil Health and Organic Farming: Cover Crop Selection and Management – This resource offers information on selecting cover crops species in different types of rotations within organic systems (article)

• Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition – SARE – This USDA: SARE Publication is a core resource for cover croppers and includes a table of general performance ratings for different cover crops (book or free pdf) 
• USDA Cover Crop Periodic Table – Reference this USDA resource for a comparison table that helps  identify what cover crop to use based on your specifications (website) 
• Plant Materials Technical Documents Search – Use this NRCS Search Tool to access a large directory of resources. Searching “cover crops” yields a long list of related content from all of the Plant Materials Centers (PMC) around the nation. You can also include your state in the search criteria to access content from your local PMC.