Proper planning is essential for successful cover crop adoption. During a cover crops field day at Barnesville, Minnesota, Farmers for Soil Health Soil Health Specialist Maria Teresa Tancredi said farmers need to match cover crop species with their tillage system and herbicide program. “Make sure that you’re getting good herbicide protection, but at the same time you’re not setting yourself back by planting some species that might not be able to actually come out and germinate properly when you still have some residuals out.” Tancredi encouraged farmers to take advantage of technical assistance available through local conservation agencies, non-profit organizations, and experienced growers already using cover crops.
