Due to weather delays, the cover crop seeding deadlines in Iowa have been extended. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Kurt Simon, State Conservationist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service extended seeding to December 1st. This gives farmers in the state cost-share and most federal financial assistance programs more time to plant their cereal rye cover crop for winter and still qualify for assistance.

Naig says even a later seeded cover crop can provide conservation benefits. For best results, cereal rye should be planted immediately following the harvest of the principal crop. The cover crop will be no-till drilled into the crop residue and the recommended seeding rate of cereal rye should be increased to 75 pounds per acre to account for reduced tillering. The extension doesn’t apply to all programs so contact your local NRCS office for more information. Cover crops aid in preventing soil erosion, keeping nutrients in the soil, and improving water quality.