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Cover crops, and the timing for planting them, are important to consider in the prevented plant insurance option.
June 3, 2013
2 Min Read
This year’s wet spring has left many farmers making the decision to put some, or all, of their acres into the prevented plant insurance option. Although cover crops are not a requirement of the prevented plant option, they are still beneficial in controlling erosion and weed management.
Planting date of the cover crop will be vital for selection. A June or early July planting date is the best time for warm-season grasses like sorghum, sorghum-sudan grass and the millets. If left to grow through the fall, these species can reach heights of 6 to 8 ft. and produce ample aboveground biomass.
Oats, wheat, annual ryegrass, the clovers, tillage radish and the like often have an August planting date. What about a July planting date? These species should deal well with hot summer weather. The question is the timing of physiological maturity. Some plants may mature and go to seed before a killing fall frost. If this happens, tillage and/or herbicide will terminate any volunteers.
Regardless of what cover crop is chosen, there are a few things to remember:
Prevented plant at 60% of the guarantee does not allow for grazing or haying of a cover crop before November 1. The cover crop can be terminated via tillage or herbicide before then, though.
If haying or grazing is needed, there is a “second crop” option that will allow it. The prevented plant payment is decreased to 35% of the guarantee.
Check with the Farm Service Agency to find what cover crop species are acceptable for prevented plant acres. Crops that can be insured (such as soybeans or alfalfa) are usually not considered acceptable for the 60% payment.
Order, and get delivered, the cover crop seed as soon as possible. Spring 2013 already has seen supplies decreasing and prices increasing.
Read the full release from U of M
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