The University of Wisconsin is actively working to answer farmers questions about cover crops. Research projects include determining nitrogen credit from berseem and crimson clovers and the impact of grass cover crops in dairy production. The University of Wisconsin is also evaluating cover crops for weed suppression and nitrogen management.
Cover Crop Recipes
RECIPE – POST CORN SILAGE, GOING TO CORN: USE CEREAL RYE
This recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop into a corn-soybean rotation. Planting a cereal rye cover crop ahead of soybean is a way to introduce cover crops into your rotation.
RECIPE – POST CORN SILAGE, GOING TO SOYBEAN: USE CEREAL RYE
This recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop into a soybean-corn rotation. Planting a cereal rye cover crop ahead of corn is a way to introduce cover crops into your rotation.
RECIPE – POST CANNING CROPS: USE OATS WITH RADISH
Planting oat and 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 winterkill and add important diversity to agricultural fields.
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.
- WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EXTENSION
- WISCONSIN LAND + WATER
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
Matt Ruark
Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin- Madison
Department of Soil Science
1525 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-2889
Email: mdruark@wisc.edu
ruarklab.soils.wisc.edu
OTHER CONTACTS
Kenneth A. Albrecht
Professor
Agronomy Department
University of Wisconsin- Madison
242 Moore Hall-Agronomy
1575 Linden Dr
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-262-2314
Email: kaalbrec@wisc.edu
Heidi Johnson
Dane County UW-Extension
5201 Fen Oak Dr, Ste 138
Madison, WI 53718-8827
Phone: 608-224-3700
Email: johnson.heidi@countyofdane.com
Kevin B. Shelley
Nutrient and Pest Management Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension
445 Henry Mall,
Madison, WI 53706-1577
Phone: 608-262-7846
Email: kshelley@wisc.edu
Nutrient Cycling and Agroecosystems Laboratory
UW Extension Cover Crops Workgroup
UW Cover Crop YouTube Playlist
MCCC State Reports for Annual Meetings
2020 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2019 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2018 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2017 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2016 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2015 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2014 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2013 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting
2011 Wisconsin State Report - MCCC Annual Meeting