Cover crops are used by many farmers across Ontario. From the traditional red clover underseeding in winter wheat to late summer oats for feed and cover crops for soil building and erosion control, there is a cover crop approach to fit every production system. Interest and experimentation in cover crops is increasing. Crop Advances reports on projects funded by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association while Field Crop News features new research and on farm project findings. There is ongoing research aimed at answering the pressing cover crop questions.
Cover Crop Recipes
INNOVATIONS IN COVER CROPS – COVER CROPS DECISION TOOL
Recipe – After Processing Vegetables: Use an Oat-Radish Mix
This recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop mix of oats and radish after an early harvested processing vegetable, such as snap beans, cucumbers, peas, or early tomatoes.
Recipe – Post Corn Silage, Going to Soybean: Introduce a Fall Rye Cover Crop
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop after corn silage harvest and before planting soybean as the next crop.
Recipe – Wheat Going to Corn: Underseed Red Clover
The following recipe provides an introductory approach to underseeding a red clover cover crop into winter wheat prior to corn.
Recipe – After Wheat, Going to Corn or Soybean: Use an Oat-Radish Mix
This recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop mix of oats and radish after wheat harvest going to corn or soybean the next year.
Additional Resources
Various agencies provide cover crop services at a local level. These resources can help with technical support and answer questions from a local perspective at no cost.
- Field Crop News: Cover Crop Benefits for Soil and Cropping Systems
- ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
- INNOVATIVE FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO
- CONSERVATION ONTARIO
- Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
- Soils at Guelph
- Ontario Soil Network
- 2020 Ontario Cover Crop Feedback Report
Feel free to contact your MCCC province representative for local questions and recommendations. Your MCCC state representative's contact information can be found on the State Contacts tab.
MCCC PROVINCE CONTACT
Jake Munroe
Soil Management Specialist-Field Crops
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
2-480 Peel Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 1K2
Telephone: 519-301-0548
E-mail: [email protected]
OTHER CONTACTS
Christine Brown
Field Crops Sustainability Specialist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
2-480 Peel Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 1K2
Phone: 519-533-3358
E-mail: [email protected]
Laura L. Van Eerd Ph.D., P.Ag.
Professor of Sustainable Soil Management
School of Environmental Sciences
University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0
Phone: (519) 674-1500 x63644
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ridgetownc.on.ca/
Darren Robinson
Professor of Weed Management
University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, Ontario N0P 2C0
Ph: (519) 674-1500 x63604
Email: [email protected]
Christine O’Reilly
Forage and Grazier Specialist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
322 Kent Street West
Lindsay, Ontario K9V 4T7
Telephone: 705-341-4899
Email: [email protected]
Dave Hooker
Associate Professor, Field Crop Agronomist
University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0
Phone: (519) 674-1500 x63559
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ridgetownc.on.ca/
Stephanie Vickers
Soil Management Specialist (Horticulture Crops)
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Box 8000, 4890 Victoria Avenue North
Province of Ontario Building
Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0
Phone: (519) 852-5627
Email: [email protected]
Best Management Practices AF189 Winter Cover Crops
Best Management Practices AF169 – Interseeding Cover Crops
Which residual corn herbicides allow cover crops to be inter-seeded?
When should I spray my cereal rye cover crop before soybeans?
Organic No-Till Soybean Production: Making it Work in Ontario
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario – Farmer Directed Research
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association – Crop Advances
MCCC State Reports for Annual Meetings
2018 Ontario Report – MCCC Annual Meeting
2015 Ontario Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2013 Ontario Report - MCCC Annual Meeting