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Michigan Cover Crop Recipe – Post Winter Canola, Going to Corn or Soybean: Use Clovers and Winter Cereal Grains

Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-141)

Michigan State University Extension (CC-10)

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This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.

Introduction

This recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating cover crops into winter canola cropping systems. A simple mix of clovers and winter cereal grains can build soil health, fx nitrogen, and prevent erosion during the fallow period between canola harvest in early summer and cash-crop planting the following spring.

Planning and Preparation
  • Winter canola variety and planting— No modifications to canola variety and planting are required for the successful use of cover crops after a canola harvest.
  • Cover crop options—Overwintering species provide fall and spring growth, and soil coverage. Overwintering clover species include crimson clover (recommended) or red clover. Overwintering cereal species include winter barley (recommended), winter wheat, triticale, or cereal rye. Note: Red clover reliably overwinters throughout Michigan; crimson clover only overwinters in the southern lower peninsula.
  • Residual canola herbicides—Clovers and winter cereals are tolerant of most canola residual herbicides, and few restrictions apply unless grazing is being considered. However, legumes such as clovers are very sensitive to clopyralid (active ingredient in Stinger®), which has long residual activity. Clovers and cereals may be sensitive to Sonalan® (ethalfuralin) and trifuralin products, and while data are limited, possible injury may result. See MSU Weed Control Guide (in Resources) for more details.
Summer and Fall Work
  • Canola harvest and field preparation— Canola harvest and field preparation—Harvest canola at the normal time in felds where cover crop(s) will be planted. If residue levels are high, consider fail mowing the remaining residue or using light tillage to improve seed-to-soil contact. If using no-till seeding, herbicides such as glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, and/or saflufenacil should be used prior to seeding to terminate weeds and volunteer canola.
  • Timing of planting— Canola harvest losses are inevitable, which leads to millions of seeds per acre on the ground that will sprout in the feld and could outcompete the cover crop. Afer the frst fush of volunteer canola has emerged and been terminated with herbicide or tillage, the cover crop can be planted. Use the MCCC Cover Crop Decision Tool (in Resources) for precise seeding dates for your county because both proximity to the Great Lakes and latitude infuence planting dates.
  • Planting method— Drill to a depth of 0.50 inches or broadcast with light incorporation. Be strategic about seeding into good soil moisture or immediately before a rain event. Note that disturbance of soil, if any, should be light since excessive disturbance of crop stubble may negate the benefts of the cover crop.
  • Seeding rate— Drilled: crimson clover, 5–6 lbs./acre; winter barley, 25–35 lbs./acre. Broadcast: crimson clover, 6–7 lbs./acre; winter barley, 30–45 lbs./acre. For best results, inoculate clover before seeding.
  • Fertility or liming— If applying phosphorus (P), potassium (K), lime, or manure, complete the application and incorporation prior to seeding or apply to the growing mixture before the ground freezes. Caution should be exercised when applying manure after cover crop planting to minimize damage to the emerging or growing cover crop.
Spring Work
  • Starter fertilizer for corn following the cover crop— Additional starter nitrogen may be necessary for corn if the barley cover crop reaches boot stage before termination.
  • Termination— Crimson clover and winter barley can be terminated in the spring by herbicide or by tillage. Winter barley and crimson clover can easily be terminated with glyphosate (0.75 lb. a.e./acre) and dicamba (0.50 a.e./acre) after dormancy breaks. To maximize the effectiveness of glyphosate and minimize time for complete control, apply when barley is actively growing and temperatures favor growth. Cereal grains past the boot stage or cereal grains sprayed during cooler weather can be more difficult to kill or will die more slowly. Additional herbicide applications may be needed to ensure termination. Be aware that when conditions are cool and cloudy, atrazine and salfufenacil tank mixtures with glyphosate may delay or antagonize glyphosate activity for barley termination. See Cover Crop Termination (in Resources) for more herbicide information.
  • Corn or soybean planting— Cash crops can be no-till planted into the dead/dry or standing cover crop. Almost all modern planters and drills are fully capable of planting corn or soybeans into this cover crop mixture. Check planting depth and seed furrow closure shortly after beginning to plant into the cover crop residue as usually some adjustments are needed.
  • Scouting—With such a small seed, canola seed loss during harvest is likely in the fall, and managing volunteer canola in the following crop is almost inevitable. Planting non-GMO canola can help keep glyphosate and glufosinate as options for controlling volunteer canola in the spring. Afer soybean or corn planting, scout for crop emergence and population. Additionally, scout for weeds since cover crop residue can often delay the emergence of annual weeds, which may delay the application of postemergence herbicides.
Resources

MSU Weed Control Guide for Field Crops (Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences), www.canr.msu.edu/weeds/2026-msu-weed-control-guide
Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crop Decision Tool, covercroptool.midwestcovercrops.org/
Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) for Manure Management and Utilization (2026; Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development), www.michigan.gov/mdard/-/media/Project/Websites/mdard/documents/environment/rtf/2026GAAMPs/2026-MANURE-MANAGEMENT-ANDUTILIZATION-GAAMPs.pdf

Cover Crop Termination (2024; Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences),
www.canr.msu.edu/resources/cover-crop-termination

Authors

Madelyn Celovsky, Christine Charles, and Monica Jean, Michigan State University Extension; Brook Wilke, Michigan State University (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)

Reviewers

Christina Curell, Michigan State University Extension, and Abigail Smith, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service–Michigan.

The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To fle a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Ofce of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. ©2026 by MCCC . All rights reserved.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2023-38640-39573 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC23-226. Any opinions, fndings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any ofcial USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy. ©2026 by MCCC . All rights reserved.

September 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2022 by MCCC. All rights reserved.

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Ontario Cover Crop Recipe – Wheat Going to Corn: Underseed Red Clover

Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC-127)

University of Guelph (SAG-FS-21-001)

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This publication is intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.

Introduction

The following recipe provides an introductory approach to underseeding a red clover cover crop into winter wheat prior to corn. Adding red clover to a wheat-corn-soybean rotation can improve corn and soybean yields, promote better soil, and provide a nitrogen credit, depending on growth and tillage. With good management, these potential benefits make a red clover cover crop worth investing in.

Planning and Preparation
  • Planning—Start small with one field. Prioritize cover crop management based on your goals. Avoid fields with a history of poor drainage, water ponding, or fertility issues.
  • Wheat variety and planting—No modifications to wheat variety and planting are required for the successful adoption of a red clover cover crop.
  • Winter wheat herbicides—Bromoxynil or MCPA are registered for wheat underseeded with red clover but with specific precautions to avoid injury. See Table 7-3, Herbicide Treatment Rates for Cereals, in Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops (see Resources).
  • Tillage or no-tillage—Red clover establishment may be more challenging in no-till systems. In fields with high residue, light tillage prior to wheat planting may improve seed-soil contact and establishment of red clover.
  • Fertility or liming—No changes are needed if applying P, K, lime, or manure in the fall before wheat planting.
  • Seed purchase—Seed prices can vary depending on the time of year; therefore, it is best to order seeds early. Red clover seed is readily available across Ontario. (See Cover Crop Seed Suppliers in Resources.)
  • Variety selection—Ontario growers can choose between double-cut or single-cut varieties, or a mix of both. Single-cut types tend to have less top growth than double-cut types. In thin wheat stands, choose single-cut; otherwise the height of double-cut may pose an issue when combining. Single-cut varieties are slightly more drought tolerant and may be favored in strip-till or no-till systems.
Late-Winter Work
  • Planting method and timing—Red clover can be broadcast into winter wheat just before green-up while the ground is still frozen and fields are fit to drive on. The freeze-thaw action will work the seeds into the ground. (See Underseeding Red Clover into Winter Wheat in Resources.)
  • Seeding rate for red clover—Broadcast red clover at a rate of 7–9 lbs/acre. For more information, see Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (in Resources).
Summer Work
  • Scouting—Look for red clover plants to have about 5 leaves during late May before the dry summer period.
  • Wheat harvest—Harvest wheat at the normal time. The red clover will continue growing until terminated.
Figure 1. After wheat harvest, clover stands that appear thin in spots, such as the one pictured, can still be very successful. Mowing can help suppress weeds while the clover becomes more established. (OMAFRA)
Post-Wheat Harvest Work
  • Evaluating a clover stand—The goal is a uniform stand of at least 3 to 4 plants per square foot. Clover stands may seem to disappear under hot and dry conditions immediately before wheat harvest but will often recover within one to two weeks.
  • Filling in patches—If red clover stands are inconsistent (Figure 1), red clover or crimson clover can either be drilled or broadcast into gaps. Alternatively, forage pea, an oat-pea mix or an oat-radish mix (see After Wheat, Going to Corn or Soybean in Resources) can be planted to suppress weeds.
  • Mowing—Scout and clip or mow the field before common ragweed or other weeds go to seed (Figure 1).
  • Termination—Significant root mass accumulates in the month of October, so it is best to delay termination as late as possible. There are two main methods:
    • Herbicide—Terminate red clover in the fall when it is actively growing and herbicides are most effective. Spring termination is less successful. (See page 5 of the Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops.)
    • Tillage—Red clover can be terminated using a moldboard plow in the fall or spring. Some growers do not plow and will follow up their herbicide termination with some tillage, but disc ripping will not effectively terminate red clover on its own.
Spring Work
  • Fertilizer—The nitrogen application rate to corn can be reduced by 73 lbs/acre for plowed clover and by 60 lbs/acre in a no-till system. (See page 24 of the Agronomy Guide for Field Crops.)
  • Corn planting—Check planting depth and seed furrow closure shortly after beginning to plant into the cover crop residue as usually some adjustments are needed.
  • Scouting—After corn planting, scout for crop emergence and population. Slug damage may occur if the clover was not tilled. Additionally, scout for red clover escapes and weeds since cover crop residue can often delay the emergence of annual weeds, which may delay the application of any post-emergence herbicides.
Resources

Cover Crop Selector Tool — available from Midwest Cover Crops Council

Guide to Weed Control: Field Crops (OMAFRA publication 75A)

Underseeding Red Clover into Winter Wheat (Field Crop News, OMAFRA)

Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (OMAFRA publication 811)

After Wheat, Going to Corn or Soybean: Use an Oat-Radish Mix (Ontario Cover Crop Recipe Series, MCCC-128/SAG-FS-21-002)—available from Midwest Cover Crops Council, Cover Crop Recipes

Fall Control of a Red Clover Cover Crop (Field Crop News, OMAFRA)

Authors

Jordan Grigg, Cameron Ogilvie, and Laura Van Eerd, University of Guelph; Anne Verhallen, OMAFRA (Note: This publication was adapted with consent from MCCC under a joint project to produce customized introductory guidance about cover crops for all member states/provinces.)

Reviewers and Contributors

Joanna Follings, OMAFRA; David Hooker, University of Guelph; Tatianna Lozier, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority; Anne Vanasse, Université Laval; Marty Vermey, Grain Farmers of Ontario

The Midwest Cover Crops Council (www.https://www.midwestcovercrops.org) aims to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the U.S. Midwest and Ontario by providing educational/outreach resources and programs, conducting new research, and communicating about cover crops to the public.
Funding for this project was provided by McKnight Foundation.

July 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2021 by MCCC. All rights reserved.

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The Midwest Cover Crop Council was first organized in 2006. Since its inception the organization has grown into a community that facilitates the sharing of cover crop knowledge within the Midwest and beyond.

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