Cover Crops 101

You Don’t Have to Change Everything—Just Start Somewhere.

You think it might be time… Time to seriously consider adding a cover crop rotation to your operation. You’ve got neighbors who swear it’s improved their soil quality and boosted yields. Every day, you hear more and more about how it supports soil biodiversity. And don’t even get started on what you’re hearing about nitrogen and phosphorus making their way into the waterways.

Sound like a familiar conversation happening in your head?

But where do you even start? What crops should you plant? Which acres should you try it on? Will it really pay off—and is it worth the extra cost? Or do those costs really get absorbed by what you’d otherwise spend on fertilizer? Will you need extra equipment? Will someone have to do it for you?

This is probably your head’s response to that conversation.

So let’s just start with the basics.

The impact of cover crops

Across Missouri, more farmers are seeing positive results from even small-scale cover crop adoption. In some trials, cereal rye has cut spring nitrogen needs by 30 to 50 pounds per acre. Deep-rooted covers like daikon radish have helped bust up compaction, especially on heavier soils north of I-70. And when cover crops are grazed, many farmers find the value per acre can offset seed and application costs entirely. So yes—done right, cover crops can pay off. It just takes a smart plan to get there.

How to incorporate cover crops into your farm operation

1. What’s your goal?
   Start here. Are you looking to reduce erosion? Improve soil structure? Add nitrogen? Graze livestock? One mix won’t do it all. Get clear on your top priority so you can choose the right species to support it. (Don’t panic here; Missouri Southern Seed has the experts to help choose the right seed.)
2. What’s your timing?
   Will you be planting after corn harvest? Interseeding into standing soybeans? Timing matters for germination, establishment and winterkill. Cool-season species like cereal rye and radish perform better in fall. Legumes like crimson clover and Balansa need earlier seeding dates to thrive.
3. How are you going to seed it?
   Do you have access to a drill? Are you planning to broadcast with a spreader? Aerial apply with a plane or drone? Your equipment (or lack of it) can affect what species you choose and how successful the stand is. (Don’t let this question freeze you up; whether a neighbor or local ag retailer, finding this answer is as easy as a Google search or quick phone call.) 
4. How many acres do you want to start with?
   It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Starting with 40 or 80 acres, especially in fields where erosion or compaction are already issues, can help you test it out without risking the whole farm.
5. How will it affect next year’s crop?
   Certain cover crops can make planting more challenging if not managed well in the spring. Others may tie up nitrogen or host pests if they’re not properly terminated. Know your rotation, and plan ahead.

Let’s Talk Cover Crop Seed.

Now that you’ve taken some time to thoroughly think things through—and maybe even started some rough cost planning—let’s look at a few basic cover crops to get you started. You don’t need to know everything right out of the gate, but knowing a few go-to options can help narrow things down.

Here are a few tried-and-true choices we often recommend for Missouri farmers:

• Cereal Rye – The workhorse of fall cover crops. Easy to establish, very winter-hardy and great for erosion control. It scavenges leftover nitrogen and creates a nice root system to loosen up compacted soil. It can also be terminated easily in spring, making it a solid choice ahead of soybeans.
• Crimson Clover – Fast-growing and good-looking. Adds nitrogen back into the soil and makes an excellent addition to mixes. It’s not as cold-hardy as rye, but with an early enough planting date, it can still do its job well.
• GroundHog Radish – Known for its deep taproot that breaks up compaction and pulls nutrients from deeper in the soil. It winterkills in most Missouri conditions, which simplifies spring management. Often paired with rye or clover in a mix.
• Fix-N-Mix – Cold-tolerant blend that combines FIXatioN Balansa Clover, Frosty Berseem Clover, Crimson Clover, and Daikon Radish. Built for nitrogen fixation and compaction relief, making it a good all-around option if you want a little of everything.

Still not sure how to move forward? 

That’s where we come in. At Missouri Southern Seed, we’ve worked with all kinds of operations across the state (and further) and can help you match your goals with the right cover crop, or even a custom mix, to get you started on the right foot.

And if you’re wondering how you’ll know whether it’s working, don’t just rely on gut feeling. Do some simple soil testing before and after. Look at your compaction layers. Track your fertilizer use and costs. Over time, a well-planned cover crop program should pay you back in better soil, better stands, and more flexibility in your rotation.

Give us a call at 1-800-844-1336. We’re happy to talk through options and help you take the next (or first) step.