Cover Crops

All Cover Crops Content

Green blades of rye growing amongst brown corn stalks.

Cereal Rye Cover Crop Between Corn and Soybean

Interest in cover crops has increased in recent times. Cereal rye has been a cover crop of choice among corn and soybean growers in South Dakota due to its superior tolerance to cold temperatures and ability to overwinter in a Northern climate.

A no-till and conventionally managed watershed side-by-side. The no-till field has dramatically less flooding and runoff.

Tale of Two Watersheds

See the difference that cover crops and a no-till cropping system can have on watersheds when high winds and heavy rains impact our region. The difference in the amounts of run-off water is astounding!

Two rows of corn at V5 leaf growth stage looking down from above. Between the corn rows there are 3 separate cotton strips placed on the soil surface just before burial in a 2-inch-deep trench. The cotton strips are numbered for their identification after recovery at three different dates.

Cotton Strip Soil Test: Rapid Assessment of Soil Microbial Activity in the Field

Soil has always been considered as a living system due to its biological components: fungi, bacteria and plant roots. Under several ongoing research projects, we started researching how we can use ‘cotton strip assay’ to compare different cover crop mixes to optimize field soil activity and build up better soil health.

Professional portrait of Graig Reicks

SDSU Extension welcomes new Weed Ecology Field Specialist

February 28, 2025

In his role, Reicks will provide guidance for weed management in specialty crops, pastures and rangelands, organic systems, lawns/gardens and public right-of-ways. He is based in Brookings.

A close-up shot of big round bales of hay

Learn about forage rye, livestock feed at Northern Plains Forage Association annual meeting

November 06, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension encourages producers to attend the Northern Plains Forage Association annual meeting and seminars, which will feature forage-related education and research.

Tanks of anhydrous ammonia being pulled to a field for fertilizer application.

Starter Fertilizer Calculator and Final Report

Decision aid to assist crop planners in selecting the maximum safe fertilizer rate that can be applied with the seed for various crops.

Tractor with sprayer applying postemergence herbicide to soybeans.

Current State of Row Crop Weed Management in South Dakota

Results of an online survey to determine how South Dakota stakeholders are currently managing row crop weeds.

A group of people stands inside a high tunnel

SDSU Extension to host 4th annual Specialty Crop Field Day

August 28, 2024

This free, family-friendly event will feature a series of presentations and field tours related to small- to mid-scale commercial vegetable production research trials. Field tours will feature SDSU Extension research plots of cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, onions, peppers and broccolini.

Rows of vegetables are shown

SDSU Extension, SD Specialty Producers Association to host soil, cover crop field day

August 23, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association invite the public to attend a Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Day for vegetable growers.

Left: Drill-planted cereal rye cover crop. Right: Pre-harvest broadcast cereal rye cover crop.

Choosing Whether to Preharvest Broadcast Vs. Post-Harvest Drill Cover Crops

Cover crops are frequently planted following the harvest of the grain commodity crops. A decision for producers to make is to whether to preharvest broadcast or postharvest drill the cover crop.