As cover crops have become increasingly popular in recent years, some farmers are finding benefits beyond the environmental benefits of controlling erosion, improving soil health and controlling weeds. In the Midwest, winter cereal grains, such as Rye and Winter Triticale have been the most practical choice for a winter cover crops, primarily due to the later harvest of fall crops and the limited amount of heat units remaining thereafter. Rye, which can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit, can be planted virtually up and until the ground has frozen if utilizing it as a cover crop.
Many producers, however, have discovered that those winter cereal grains can also be a great source of feed. Find out whether or not you may be leaving money on the table by not harvesting those cover crops in the article entitled, “The New Crop on the Block”, by Tom Kilcer in the April 10, 2018 edition of Hoards Dairyman