69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL

1. SWCS 2014
COVER CROPS 101
SEEDING METHODS & CRITERIA FOR
MAKING THE BEST SEEDING DECISION

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SEEDING TECHNIQUES
FACTORS DICTATING the SEEDING METHOD
• Goal can dictate the type of seeding
method used
• Calendar has a HUGE role
• Type of seed being planted (seed size)
• Weather

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SEEDING METHODS
• Drill/ Planter behind tractor
– Ensures the best seed
‐to‐soil contact and
ideal environment
for the quickest
germination.
– Allows for precise
seeding by changing
seed plates and planter
equipment, as well as
permitting changes from row to row.
– Not an option until the standing crop has been
removed or harvested.

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• Using insecticide boxes
‐ Just like granular insecticides, many
small‐seeded cover crops can be
metered directly in‐furrow or
banded just in front of press wheel
‐ Setting the double disk openers about
½” to ¾” deep & placing seed in‐furrow
will give best seed‐to‐soil contact
– Herbicides can be sprayed over the row for sod
suppression at the same time the seed is planted
SEEDING METHODS

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SEEDING METHODS
• Seeder mounted on Tillage Tool
– Becoming more widespread as practice
allows light tillage and seeding in one pass
– Seed spread using
this method will be
lightly incorporated,
increasing seed‐to‐
soil contact

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SEEDING METHODS
• Broadcast Application
– Very common practice
• Spread with fertilizer by retailer
• ATV seeder
– Challenge with this method is ensuring
application rates are even and that seed is
spread evenly across the width of the
pattern
– Larger seeded crops may need more seed to
soil contact

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SEEDING METHODS
• Aerial Seeding
– Aerial application needed for improved timing of seeding
– Crucial for cover crops like radish or turnips where
conventional seeding may not be allowed due to delayed
harvest of field crop
– Moisture is imperative to
make up for lack of
adequate seed to soil contact
– Allows for seeding into
standing field crops
• Corn (> 50% light penetration to ground needed)
• Soybeans (after 10% of leaves have dropped)

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Aligning the stars…
Corn Maturity
Days Until First
Frost

12. 2014 La Crosse Seed – Soil First™ Premium Cover Crop Seed
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Aligning the stars…
Corn Maturity
Days Until First
Frost
Ideal Planting
Window

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SEEDING METHODS
• Dry Applicator into standing row crop
– Gaining traction as it allows for
earlier applications
– Seed is forced or blown down
in‐between the row to the soil
surface using air pressure
– Advantage over aerial seedings
is that the seed is pushed down
to surface, versus % of the seed
being held up in the crop canopy.
– Sometimes not considered due
to concerns of driving over the
standing row crop

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SEEDING METHODS
• Seeding with Manure Spreader
– Combine functions to reduce trips
– Start absorbing
nutrients quickly
– Fewer opportunities
for soil compaction
– Ideally used when
seeding cover crops
that work with nutrient sequester

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SEEDING METHODS
• Combine Head‐Mounted Seeder
– Becoming more popular as it eliminates an
extra pass through the field, saving labor and
wheel traffic
– Uses air pressure to push the seed down
through tubes and spreads the cover crop seed
out under the combine head using a diffuser
– Challenge with this method is that the seed is
left on the soil surface and will either need
moisture or a light tillage pass to ensure seed‐
to‐soil contact.

18. Image Radish (horizontal rooting)
Image Radish (horizontal rooting)