Before some farmers got their start on planting this spring, they needed to get rid of what they grew over the winter first. Washington County farmer Jim Cuddeback planted 400 acres of rye after combining his corn last fall. Rye is a cover crop that serves multiple purposes including taking up excess nitrogen in soil. It also benefits soybeans, which Cuddeback plans to plant on the acres he had the rye on over the winter. Cuddeback says he used roundup to get rid of the cover crops before he started planting the soybeans.