Cover Crops

Cover crops are non cash crops seeded when the soil is bare. Seeding can include fall season shoulder crops, inter-seeding, under seeding or full season covers. Multi species blends of cover crops can provide nutrient rich livestock feed for grazing or baling. 60% of Manitoba farmers are growing short season cover crops.

Cover crops prevent soil erosion and degradation. As the cover crops are seeded and begin to grow the roots bind to the soil maintaining soil aggregation and preventing compaction. Exudates and biochemical exchange from plant roots to soil microbes decrease pest activity and help bring life back to the soil. Precipitation, rainfall and water flow is managed by the infiltration capacity of the roots. Improvement in the soil translates into better crop establishment and overall longevity of soil fertility.

Several cover crop funding opportunities are provided by the Watershed District. Contact us for a funding assessment today.