03/06/2026
Cover Crop Spotlight: Does Planting Date Matter?
Background: Each test strip was planted one month apart, late September and late October. The plan is to use as feed for his cows so no manure was applied. They were both chopped on May 22nd.
Goal: See how planting date influenced biomass production, nutrient capture, and soil health benefits.
Results:
✅ The September planted rye produced nearly 3 times more biomass (1.94 tons/ac) than the October planted rye (0.67 tons/ac).
✅ The earlier planted rye captured more nutrients overall, including approximately: 65 lb N/ac, 11 lb P2O5/ac, and 109 lbs K2O/ac
✅ The September rye also returned significanly more carbon to the soil, helping build soil organic matter, improve soil structure, support microbial activity, and protect against erosion.
Summary: While the October planted rye contained higher nutrient concentrations and crude protein levels, the September planted rye produced more total forage and more total nutrients per acre due to its greater biomass.
Final takeaway: When conditions allow, earlier fall planting of winter rye can maximize both soil health benefits and forage production. More growth means more roots, more carbon, more nutrient scavenging, and greater protection for our soil throughout the year.
Have you noticed differences in your cover crop performance based on planting date? Share your experiences in the comments! 👇
