Why spray rye with herbicides and risk it forming a mat? Why not plant into live rye, and kill it as you plant? No herbicides, no mess! Just plant through it and it will soon be dead on its own.

Related: What's in your cover crop mix?

Does it sound too good to be true? John Vogel swears that it isn't too good to be true. Editor for American Agriculturalist, a sister publication, he's followed a Pennsylvania farmer who invented a rolling device that attaches to the planter so that he can kill rye as he plants. It actually is integrated into the planter.

New twist: Travis Martin shows off the Dawn Biologic ZRX crimper roller planer attachment at a recent meeting for farmers.

It's not just a plain roller. Instead it has a circular pattern of blades rotating around the roller. The crimping action on rye stems prevent the plants from moving materials up or down, and the plants die.

What's even better news for you is that the farmer invention is now being marketed by Dawn Biologic, a division of Dawn Equipment Company. Dawn Biologic is devoted to offering equipment related to farming with cover corps and attempting to improve soil health.

Travis Martin, a sales representative with Dawn Biologic, brought a sample machine to Mike Starkey's farm near Brownsburg recently. It was for display at a meeting, and consisted of two planter row units with the crimping roller attached behind them, just as they would be on a real planter set-up.

"It's really popular out east, and interest is quickly picking up as the idea moves into the Midwest," Martin says.

Related: Cover crop: kill it or keep it?

Another company offers the Rite-Way crimper roller. It's a separate, pull-type machine that's pulled through the rye cover before planting. The goal is the same-kill the rye without herbicides. The Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District has a Rite-Way unit available for rent, and has used it on land showcased in their joint land stewardship project with Vincennes University Jasper Campus.

All crimper rollers are most effective on rye, and the rye needs to be heading out for the best effect.

Martin says that you can plant into other cover crops with the system, but herbicides may also be needed to kill other cover crops.