Winter small grains are used as cover crops. The life cycle of winter grains lends itself to interseeding of a forage legume. Interseeded legumes increase ground cover late in the season and contribute nitrogen to succeeding cash crops. Dick Sloan tested 4 replicates of rye with and without red clover. Rye grain and straw was harvested and measured for each treatment. No statistical difference was found between treatments. Returns were greater with sole crop rye treatment, however, neither red clover nitrogen contribution nor weed control was quantified.
Do you want to cut input costs and reduce your nitrogen application? Apply for our N Rate Risk Protection Program by April 30.