Vittetoe says there are also livestock producers who will use the cover crops as an additional forage source this spring.
Cover crops are growing as temperatures warm throughout the Midwest.
Iowa State University Extension agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe covers southeast and east central Iowa and says fields are beginning to green up.
“It’s kind of a breath of fresh air seeing that greenness out there. So I think especially as I look at the forecast, it wouldn’t surprise me if some people want to start planting earlier, that they’re already thinking about managing those cover crops this spring.”
She tells Brownfield cover crop termination should begin soon.
“And it really just depends upon what peoples’ goals are with those cover crops. If they just want it for no more erosion (and) soil protection, if they’re wanting that cover crop to provide potential weed suppression, those folks are probably going to be waiting a little bit longer (to terminate).”
