This interactive calculator is a decision-support tool that estimates the costs and benefits of winter cover cropping in almond and processing tomato operations in California’s Central Valley. The tool estimates how much farmers can expect their profits to change after growing winter cover crops for a certain number of years. All values that are used in the calculator are flexible and can be adjusted to match the reality on your farm. The tool was designed for farmers who are interested in growing winter cover crops and who want to understand how long it will for that investment to break even. … Read the rest
Category Archives: Selection
Cover Crops Database – UCANR
In an effort to make information on specific cover crop species available and easily accessible, the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program created the cover crop database, first released in 1999 (and it remains one of the most highly visited features of UC SAREP’s extensive website). The database contains detailed entries for over 40 commonly used cover crop species. For each crop, a summary of key factors is provided, including: Seed, seedling and mature plant descriptions and pictures Ideal temperature and geographic range Soil, water and nutrient considerations Management details including planting and termination dates, maintenance issues, mowing, … Read the rest
USDA Cover Crop Periodic Table
A visual guide to cover crops. www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/30640000/CCC/CCC_v13_5_2012.pdf
Cover Crop Varieties in the Sacramento valley
In the Sacramento Valley area? Take a tour and visit cover crop plots to see for yourself what the varieties look like in the field. To learn more check out the newsletter: https://cesutter.ucanr.edu/newsletters/Agronomy_Notes88518.pdf… Read the rest
USDA NRCS Evaluation of Spring Seeded Cover Crops in Colorado, Montana and North Dakota
Read the report here.
Link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/natpmtn13647.pdf
Plant Materials Centers in Bridger, MT, Bismarck, ND and the Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center, Meeker, CO conducted a 2-year evaluation of over 50 commercially available varieties of black oats, black seeded oats, cereal rye, crimson clover, daikon radish, hairy vetch, red clover, and winter/field pea to assess their adaptation and performance as spring seeded cover crops. Information from the study will assist conservation planners and farmers in selecting varieties to meet the cover crop objectives of their production systems.… Read the rest
USDA NRCS Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in the Southwest Region
Read the report here.
Link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/natpmtn13595.pdf
Plant Materials Centers (PMCs) in Tucson, AZ, Lockeford, CA, Meeker CO, Los Lunas, NM and Fallon, NV conducted a 2-year evaluation of 56 commercially available varieties of black oats, black seeded oats, cereal rye, crimson clover, daikon radish, hairy vetch, red clover, and winter/field pea to assess their adaptation and performance as cover crops in the Southwest PMC region. Information from the study will assist conservation planners and farmers in selecting varieties to meet the cover crop objectives of their production systems.… Read the rest
USDA NRCS Evaluation of Cool Season Cover Crops in the Northwest
Read the report here.
Link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/natpmtn13594.pdf
Plant Materials Centers (PMCs) in Aberdeen, ID, Corvallis, OR, and Pullman, WA conducted a 2-year evaluation of 56 commercially available varieties of cereal rye, hairy vetch, crimson clover, red clover, winter/field pea, black oats, black seeded oats, and daikon radish to assess their adaptation and performance as cover crops in the North Central PMC region. Information from the study will assist conservation planners and farmers in selecting varieties to meet the cover crop objectives of their production systems.… Read the rest
Cover Crop Performance and Adaptation Trials at NRCS Plant Materials Centers
The information from this resource contains reports and technical information related to the performance and adaptation of cover crops in different part of the Unites States.
Farmers rely on the latest crop variety trials to make informed decisions on planting the best adapted crop variety to maximize yield given their soils and production practices. With the ever-growing interest in planting cover crops, the NRCS Plant Materials Centers initiated studies to better characterize performance and adaptation of commercially available cover crop varieties. Choosing the most appropriate cover crop varieties, like choosing the best crop varieties, will ultimately assist farmers … Read the rest
Cover Crop Seed Vendors for Western States
Link: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/orpmctn13328.pdf
This list of cover crop seed vendors was updated in 2018 by the NRCS West National Technology Support Center and Plant Materials Program.… Read the rest
Pacific Northwest Cover Crop Selection Tool
This tool was developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help farmers and conservation planners in Idaho, Oregon and Washington select cover crop species adapted to their climate, soils and cover cropping goals.