Mike Genereux of Honey Creek, IA has nearly 10 years of cover-cropping experience. Farming in the Loess Hills, he has experimented with multiple cover crop seeding methods to address erosion concerns, but has found drilling to be the most reliable.
Pros of drilling: “If I’m going to take the time and money to seed cover crops, I want it to be worthwhile. Some of the other methods waste more seed, and you don’t get as consistent of a stand,” explains Mike, “Plus, the deeper seed placement with drilling means that the seed isn’t as reliant on rainfall to germinate.” Mike aims for a seed depth of ½ to ¾ inches, depending on soil moisture conditions.
Timing crucial: As Mike combines corn this fall, his retired father will follow him on a John Deere 750 drill with cereal rye. Mike says, “the earlier you can get the seed out there, the better.” When drilling toward the end of September, they use a 50#/acre rate, but will increase the rate to 55#/acre if drilling toward the end of October.
