If you or someone you know planted cover crops fall 2024, help us get local data on spring growth that can help farmers make cover crop management decisions.
Join the ongoing effort for data collection
University of Minnesota Extension has partnered with the Great Lakes Cover Crop Project to build a regional dataset of cover crop performance across Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This data will identify the best cover crop types and practices for various growing conditions and inform management recommendations tailored to your region.
Why Participate?
- Earn $50 per field enrolled (up to three fields annually).
- Receive a personalized report with biomass and nutrient estimates for each field.
- Contribute to vital research that helps improve cover crop success for all farmers.
The importance of cover crops in Minnesota
Cover crops are important soil covers during times when fields are normally left bare. These covers protect soil, water quality, and farmers’ bottom lines. More green cover means that cover crops provide more benefits, so it’s important to understand how management influences the amount of cover crop growth.We know that cover crops grow differently across the state since Minnesota has a wide gradient in precipitation and temperature. The University of Minnesota is conducting extensive research on cover crops across the state, but data on locally suitable practices and cover crop species are critical to supporting effective cover crop management.
 |
Caption: Cover crops growing at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN. Planted in early September, these mid-November plots show (left) an oats/radish mix and (right) cereal rye. (Photo credit: Anna Cates) |
Since biomass collection and processing takes a lot of time and effort, we are estimating biomass based on height measurements and photos. With this new protocol, farmers can easily gather and report data from their fields to help us understand trends in cover crop performance across many different locations and farming conditions.
Getting started
- Enroll: Visit z.umn.edu/GLCCP_en.
- Complete a Survey: This winter, fill out a 30-minute management survey.
- Collect Data: Follow simple instructions to collect field data right before cover crop termination in the spring (approximately 30 minutes).
References & resources
- Minnesota-specific cover crop research: z.umn.edu/MNcovercrops
- Blog post: Growing cover crops in Minnesota: 4 great resources to get you started
- Blog post: Maximize your cover crop benefits by selecting the best species
For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast wherever you listen and never miss an episode! And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), and visit our website.
If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.
Comments
Post a Comment