There’s still time to plant winter rye, winter wheat and triticale as cover crops in South Dakota, according to Eric Barsness, Natural Resources Conservation Service agronomist, Brookings, S.D.

Even though they may not grow much this fall, cover crops can survive the winter and green up and grow vigorously in early spring.

Cover crops will compete with weeds, utilize excess moisture and prevent erosion, according to Kent Vlieger, NRCS soil health specialist, Huron, S.D.

Seed about 40 pounds per acre for most soil health purposes and up to 90 pounds per acre if spring grazing or reducing weed competition is the objective.

Getting something planted and growing this fall will improve planting conditions in the spring and feed the soil biology, Barsness says.

However, it’s too late to plant radishes, turnips, clovers, oats and other species that will not survive a frost.

Go online to view a chart on selecting cover crops, as well as other cover crop resources.

Source: South Dakota NRCS, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.