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Minnesota farmer credits cover crops for helping speed up wet springs
A northwest Minnesota farmer says cover crops help when planting conditions are less than ideal.
Ryan Hough grows corn, soybeans, wheat, malt barley, and alfalfa east of Barnesville.
“We’ve got a field that we know is typically on the wetter side (so) we’ll plant cereal rye there in the fall if we can, and let that rye utilize some of that moisture in the spring so we can get in there. In return, that rye helps to actually carry the equipment across the field better.”
He tells Brownfield that comes in handy during a wet spring.
“Soil structures change, it just doesn’t push out like it used to. And then planting dates and that sort of thing, we certainly aren’t behind any of our neighbors, we don’t feel. As far as getting in there late, (instead) we’re right on time if not even a few days earlier.”
Hough also runs a cow/calf operation and says cover crops help offset feed and forage costs.
