What is a cover crop?

A cover crop is any plant species that is grown in a field when there is not a cash crop (which are crops with monetary value, like corn and soybeans) growing there. Farmers use cover crops to help prevent water and wind erosion, improve soil health, and take up excess nutrients. In a bare field, these things would be much harder to accomplish.

Some cover crops include clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, oilseed radish and forage turnips. Visit the Midwest Cover Crops Council decision tool to select the right crop for your application.