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| I don't want to be that guy, but I was of the mindset you have. Got a seeder in 2019. Did a lot of our own ground for the first 3 years then tapered off. Did a lot of custom work at first, but then it dropped off. Felt bad for the cover crop seed dealer when I told him no the last 2 with no custom as well....only to find out they quit on their farm as well.
Any type of grass, even annual rye before corn, is a nightmare waiting to happen. 100+bu loss level nightmare while doing everything "by the book". If you can't plant beans early because you're waiting for the cereal rye to grow or you're waiting for the ground to dry out while your buddy is going, you're losing bushels.
Jason Webster of Pontiac PTI farm says it best. He's been doing it by the hook, even better I'd say, the last 4+ years and not once has the practice paid for the seed. Sprinkle in a big loss on corn in there and you're asking the cover crop practice to make up a lot of ground....
If you think you're helping the water quality, Ken ferries corn college, the year I went, tested water quality out of a main, conventional farming vs cover crop. The cover water quality was a tick better while the cover was growing, but when it was killed off, the water quality was the worst he's seen by far...
It has its place. But I'd caution on the business you're receiving lasting forever. The excitement wains, guys won't see results they want, they'll see the added struggles it can add, and walk away from it | |
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Cover Crops
