Flexibility is Key with Cover Crops
Tara Desmond
April 30, 2025
Every year brings new lessons for cover crop management and 2025 is no exception. Here are a few timely insights for the season:
- Growth is behind this year
- Due to a cold and slow March and April, cover crops haven’t reached the height or growth stages we’d typically expect by now.
- Less growth can be good
- Lower biomass may make planting into residue easier and improve seed-to-soil contact.
- Termination timing needs to stay flexible
- Don’t stick to a calendar date. Base your decision on this year’s conditions.
- Soil moisture matters
- In a dry year, early termination helps preserve moisture for your cash crop.
- In a wet year, live cover crops can help draw moisture out to allow timely planting.
- Lean on trusted resources
- Whether it’s a seed advisor, retailer, or experienced neighbor, don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice.
- Share and learn from mistakes
- Often, the most valuable advice comes from farmers willing to share what didn’t work.

By Lindsay Croke
•
July 17, 2025
“If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices on consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public,” the letter said. “If the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop

By Tara Desmond
•
July 14, 2025
We recently caught up with Shelby Watson following the announcement of her promotion to Director, The Americas & Allied Industry Programs at USAPEEC. In her expanded role, Shelby is taking on new responsibilities across Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.