Cover Crop A close-growing crop that temporarily protects the soil when crop residues are not adequate.

How it helps
Cover crops keep ground covered, add organic matter to the soil, trap
    nutrients, improve soil tilth and reduce weed competition.

Planning ahead
Do you have a seeding method that won't harm standing crops?
Are adequate soil conservation measures installed?

Tech notes
Cover crops are most often recommended when low residue producing 
    crops such as soybeans or corn silage are grown on erodible land.
Cover crops need 30-40 days of good growth before the first hard frost.
    Seeding after harvest will normally not allow cover crops to grow large
    enough to survive the winter. *
Seed from the end of August until mid-September. *
Cover crops may be air seeded prior to harvesting soybeans and other 
    crops, or seeded conventionally after silage harvest.
Many crops can be used for cover crops. Cereal rye is common.
Kill cover crops in the spring. Mowing or herbicide application is
    acceptable. Tillage is not recommended because it will bury residue. 
    Early kill is important to reduce the risk of depleting moisture needed
    for the grain crop.
Legume cover crops add nitrogen to the soil, providing a low-cost 
    fertilizer for grain crops.
Follow the NRCS recommended seeding rates for the cover crop you 
    select: *

Maintenance
Cover crops are a short term practice and are not expected to last after
    initial establishment.
Restrict grazing if necessary.

* Check local recommendations.