Minnesota

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Cover crops remain tricky to fit into annual crop rotations in Minnesota, but windows after canning crops, silage, and small grains allow for robust growth. Growers are also experimenting with interseeding cover crops into standing corn and soybean crops to get a longer growing season. The Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH) has a survey of relevant cover crop research available, while practical tips for implementation can be found with the University of Minnesota Extension  as well as partners with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service statewide. Ongoing research and demonstration work includes cover crops with low-disturbance manure systems, cover crop economics, cover crops in wide-row corn, and early summer (prevent plant) cover crop species trials.

Cover Crop Recipes

RECIPE – POST CORN, GOING TO SOYBEAN: USE CEREAL RYE

Since the dominant cropping system in Minnesota is the two-year corn-soybean rotation, this recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating a cereal rye cover crop into the corn year of the rotation.

RECIPE – POST SOYBEAN, GOING TO CORN: USE OATS

Planting a cover crop after small grains, a canning crop, or corn silage will often provide a wider window for establishment before a killing freeze.

Recipe – Post Canning Crops: Use Oats with Radish

Cover crops following canning crops will protect soil from erosion and improve soil structure after heavy harvesting equipment is used to take off the canning crop.

Recipe – Post Corn Silage, Going to Corn: Use Cereal Rye

This recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating a cereal rye cover crop after corn silage harvest and before corn for grain or silage.

Recipe – Post Corn Silage, Going to Soybean: Use Cereal Rye

This recipe provides an introductory approach for integrating a cereal rye cover crop into a corn silage–soybean rotation.

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.

Feel free to contact your MCCC state representative for local questions and recommendations. Your MCCC state representative's contact information can be found on the State Contacts tab.

MCCC STATE CONTACT

Anna Cates
Assistant Extension Professor
[email protected]
612-625-3135
S225 Soils Building
1529 Gortner Ave
St Paul, MN 55108
United States

OTHER CONTACTS

Julie Grossman
Assistant Professor- University of Minnesota
454 Alderman Hall
1970 Fowell Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone:  612-625-8597
E-mail: [email protected]

Lizabeth Stahl, CPAg/CCA
Extension Educator - Crops
Worthington Regional Extension Office
1527 Prairie Drive
Worthington, MN 56187
University of Minnesota
[email protected]
507-372-3900, ext. 3912

Troy Salzer
Extension Educator
University of Minnesota Extension
St Louis County
Government Service Center
201 South 3rd Ave W
Virginia, MN 55792
[email protected]
o. 218-749-7120

Axel Garcia y Garcia
Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics
Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist, UMN Extension
[email protected]
507-752-5080
23669 130th St
Lamberton, MN 56152
United States

Nathan Drewitz
Assistant Extension Professor
Center for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Donald l. Wyse, Ph.D.
Professor- University of Minnesota
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone:  651-625-1268
E-mail: [email protected]

Stephanie McLain
Soil Health Specialist for Minnesota
Natural Resource Conservation Service
Cell: 507-500-1301

MCCC State Reports for Annual Meetings

2020 Minnesota State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting

2019 Minnesota State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting

2018 Minnesota State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting

2016 Minnesota State Report- MCCC Annual Meeting

2015 Minnesota State Report- MCCC Annual Meeting

2014 Minnesota State Report- MCCC Annual Meeting

2008 Minnesota State Report- MCCC Annual Meeting

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ABOUT

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.

CONTACT INFO

  • MCCC General Contact
    Comments or questions regarding the MCCC or our website can be directed to our Program Manager.
  • Anna Morrow
  • [email protected]
  • 317-392-6417

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