There are multiple ways to how to kill winter crops without losing soil gains, each best suited to the specific crop grown and the local climate. While farmers can always use the seed packet to tell them when to terminate, there are nuances in timing and method to consider. Waiting too long or killing too soon can eliminate the soil biomass that farmers have spent all season growing.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to consider farmland goals when planning the termination process. Knowing which crops will follow the cover crop, what tools are on hand, and the farm\u2019s overall system are all paramount to growing cover crops. This may seem like a lot to contemplate, but most often it\u2019s baked into the initial planting.<\/p>\n
For this important aspect of farming cover crops, context is everything. If the soil tends to be dry, it\u2019s best to terminate up to a couple of weeks before planting your next crop. Otherwise, farmers can plant into it and terminate after their new plants emerge. If pests are an issue, three to four weeks before planting is best.<\/p>\n
Growers should always terminate the crop before it goes to seed. This prevents resprouting and allows for the easiest management down the line.<\/p>\n
Pick the termination method that suits your farm best.
\nBefore farmers kill cover crop plantings, they should decide which method they want to use. Each is best suited for specific farms, though all will work. The termination goal should be to build soil biomass in the process.<\/p>\n
Mowing cover crops improves the soil by letting roots stay in the ground, releasing nutrients over time.
\nThis is an easy and fast method for eliminating the crop, and leaves roots in the ground for building biomass. Cover crops should be cut as close to the ground as possible. In this machined chop-and-drop, it\u2019s best to use a mower that has multiple blades to ensure the remaining plant matter breaks down easily.<\/p>\n
Farmers who grow barley, cereal rye, and vetch will have the least problems with mowing, as long as the timing is right. It\u2019s best to kill cover crop plantings this way when flowering has begun, but seed formation hasn\u2019t. Similarly, planting by hand is recommended for post-mowing, as drill planting can be difficult in roots that face multiple directions.<\/p>\n
In cold winter climates, pick a cover crop that will die naturally in the cold.
\nFarmers in cold regions can simply let the winter kill the crop with freezes. This method won\u2019t work in areas with no persistent c<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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