Cover crop research, extension, and demonstration activities in Indiana have included using cover crops to recycle nutrients and minimize leaching into tile drains, improve soil health, reduce erosion, suppress pests, and improve crop yields. Farmer-initiated demonstration sites provide locations for local field days and other educational events. The Indiana NRCS has several programs to assist farmers with implementing cover crops as part of a total conservation and energy system on their farm.
Cover Crop Recipes
RECIPE - POST CORN, GOING TO SOYBEAN: USE CEREAL RYE
Planting a cover crop ahead of a soybean cash crop is often the easiest way to introduce cover crops into your rotation.
RECIPE - POST wheat, going to soybean or corn: Use oats/radish mix
Planting oat and daikon-type radish cover crops after wheat and ahead of a soybean or corn cash crop is an easy way to introduce cover crops into your rotation because these cover crops both winter-kill and add important diversity to agricultural fields.
RECIPE - POST SOYBEAN, GOING TO CORN: USE OATS/RADISH
Often the easiest place to begin is to plant a cover crop ahead of a soybean cash crop following corn, so consider starting with the companion recipe titled Post Corn, Going to Soybean.
Additional Resources
Various agencies provide cover crop services at a local level. These resources can help with technical support and answer questions from a local perspective at no cost.
- INDIANA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)
- PURDUE EXTENSION
- INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS (SWCD)
CONSERVATION CROPPING SYSTEMS INITIATIVE (CCSI) IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS IN INDIANA ALL WORKING TOWARD IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND SOIL PRODUCTIVITY.
Feel free to contact your MCCC state representative for local questions and recommendations. Your MCCC state representative's contact information can be found on the State Contacts tab.
MCCC STATE CONTACT
Eileen J. Kladivko, Professor
Agronomy Department
Purdue University
915 W. State St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Phone: 765-494-6372
Fax: 765-496-2926
E-mail: kladivko@purdue.edu
OTHER CONTACTS
Keith Johnson, Professor
Forage specialist
Agronomy Department
Purdue University
915 W. State St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
phone: 765-494-4800
E-mail: johnsonk@purdue.edu
Barry Fisher
Central Team Leader/ Soil Health Specialist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
6013 Lakeside Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46278-2933
Phone: 317-295-5850
E-mail: Barry.Fisher@wdc.usda.gov
Shalamar Armstrong, Assistant Professor
Agronomy Department
Purdue University
915 W. State St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Phone 765-496-0256
Email: sarmstro@purdue.edu
Purdue University Extension: Cover Crops
MCCC State Reports for Annual Meetings
2020 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2019 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2018 Indiana State Report – MCCC Annual Meeting
2017 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2016 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2015 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2014 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2013 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2011 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2007 Indiana State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting