A Cover Crops’ primary job is to improve the soil. We plant them to have living, growing plants in our fields which can sequester nutrients when fields would otherwise be bare.
INCREASE YIELDS
More organic matter means better soil structure, increased nutrients, and water holding.
DECREASE EROSION
Roots in the soil act like a carpet and will keep soil structure in place.
WATER RETENTION
Increased organic matter acts like a sponge, allowing the soil to hold on to more water.
SMOTHER WEEDS
Cover Crops take up the space that weeds would move in to if left bare.
CONTROL PESTS
Cover crops can attract beneficial insects, which attack crop pests.
MICROBIAL DIVERSITY
Roots from cover crops create root exudates into the soil, helping break down organic matter.
While the use of Cover Crops is often seen as a long-term soil health management plan, let’s take a look at what they could mean to your farm and your bottom line over the long-term.
SEQUESTER NUTRIENTS
Cover Crops sequester unused nutrients from the previous crop. Deep-rooted cover crops scavenge nutrients from deep in the soil. These nutrients may become available to future crops as the residue decomposes.
PROTECTION
With more organic matter building in the soil, more water can be retained and held for crops to access. This can be good protection against long periods of drought.
CUMULATIVE BENEFITS
You can increase the range of benefits by increasing the diversity of cover crops grown, the frequency of use between cash crops and the length of time that cover crops are growing in the field.
CONTACT OUR CROP SPECIALISTS TO FIND OUT MORE!
PICTON AGRONOMY:
(613) 476-9183
BELLEVILLE AGRONOMY:
(613) 962-0769