Preventing Cover Crops From Becoming Your Next Weed Problem
2017
- University of Wisconsin Madison, Department of Horticulture
Project Media
Wisconsin growers are increasingly interested in utilizing cover crops. Prior to cover crop establishment a plan to terminate the cover crop is necessary. Proper and timely termination should prevent competition to the following grain or forage crop. Proper and timely termination is dependent on the species of cover crop and the following crop to be grown. The species of the cover crop impacts ease of control, seed production potential, and growth rate. Termination can occur through environmental conditions such as frost or through a cultural, mechanical, or chemical method, such as tillage or herbicide application. The termination plan should meet the grower’s goals for the cover crop, crop rotation, and to prevent the cover crop from becoming a future weed problem.