Top 10 Uses for Cover Crops & Farm Seed

Strategic use of farm seed is an investment in the land that pays dividends in the form of greater long-term productivity and sustainability. With rich potential for a diversity of applications, farm seed and cover crops control erosion, add organic matter, conserve moisture, and support the integrity of soil and watershed ecology. By growing your own inputs, you economize on fertilizers, animal feed, and hay mulch, while improving the overall health of your livestock, soils, crops, the food you sell and, ultimately, the surrounding environment.

Of the many ways to incorporate farm seed into your operation, here are the top 10 applications and their key benefits.

1 • Green Manure

Replenish organic matter and nutrients to the soil while enhancing soil structure.

2 • Erosion Control

Hold the soil in place and minimize weather impact between primary crop harvests.

3 • Nitrogen Fixation

Increase yields and reduce fertilizer costs by planting crops that add nitrogen to the soil.

4 • Compaction Control

Develop and maintain optimal soil profile by breaking up deep layers of compacted soil.

5 • Weed Suppression

Plant smother crops to reduce herbicide and labor costs and improve soil health.

6 • Grain Production

Diverse uses for grains include mulching, crop rotation, livestock and human nutrition.

7 • Pest Management

Improve marketable yield by incorporating crops that release glucosinolates into the soil.

8 • Forage

Reduce costs and improve animal health by growing your own livestock feed and pasture.

9 • Support Pollinators & Beneficial Insects

Attract bees and other beneficial insect populations to improve pollination/fruit set, and for pest control.

10 • Biomass/Organic Matter

Plant recommended biomass crops for their potential to produce a high volume of organic matter.