Quick Cover Crop Tips from a Farmer & Professor with 16 Years of Experience


By Tara Desmond May 14, 2026

Pete Fandel is a full-time farmer and agriculture professor at Illinois Central College and shares his firsthand knowledge of cover cropping, built over 16 years of on-farm experience .


In this video, Pete breaks down:

  • How he transitioned his family's diversified grain and livestock operation to a corn, soybean, and winter wheat system
  • Which cover crop mixes he uses ahead of corn (winter barley or triticale + camelina, radishes, or turnips) and why
  • Why he avoids cereal rye before corn and what to use instead
  • The best starting point for farmers new to cover crops: cereal rye + rapeseed ahead of soybeans
  • How rapeseed can help suppress soybean nematodes and the fungus responsible for sudden death syndrome


Whether you're just getting started with cover crops or looking to refine your species selection, Pete's practical, field-tested advice is a great resource for Midwest grain farmers.


Not a member?

Become one today!

SHARE THIS

Latest Posts

Weekly News
By Tara Desmond August 21, 2026
News from IL Corn for week ending 8/21/26
Argonne
By Tara Desmond August 20, 2026
USA Panama Sustainable Maritime Fuel Trade Mission visits Illinois
IL Corn TV Thumbnail of Host and Guest
By Tara Desmond August 20, 2026
Illinois farmer Jay Whalen shares his journey to cover crops, soil health and conservation and how the practices are improving his farm’s ROI.
Don Guninnip; Mark Bunselmeyer; Bryan Severs, Katie Brown, Philip Nelson, Dr. Buzz Iliff, Evan Hulti
By Lyndi Allen August 20, 2026
Illinois corn farmers connected with lawmakers at the Illinois State Fair to share their experiences and discuss the issues impacting Illinois farms
Dr. Margenot in front of Alma Mater Plots
By Tara Desmond August 20, 2026
The University of Illinois is building the next Morrow Plots (Alma Mater Plots) and Illinois farmers are helping shape the research questions for the next 150 years.
By Tara Desmond August 19, 2026
The IL Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) has elected a new slate of officers who will help lead the organization’s efforts to invest Illinois corn checkoff dollars in programs that grow demand, create new markets and strengthen understanding of Illinois corn farmers and the industry. Elected by their fellow farmer directors, the new ICMB officers are Matt Raben (Carmi, IL) as Chair, Terry Smith (Clayton, IL) as Vice Chair, Dan Meyer (Tuscola, IL) as Treasurer, and John Klemm (Waynesville, IL) as Secretary.
Agronomy Angle
By Matt Montgomery from Becks August 19, 2026
Foliar disease is creeping upward in Illinois corn. Learn what hail-loss research reveals about when a late-season fungicide pass still pays off.
Kevin and John thumbnail
By Tara Desmond August 13, 2026
Growing Good Consumers: Inside Illinois' Ag in the Classroom Program
John Klemm, IFB's Steve Koellerm, ASA's Jim Martin, and Chad Dillenberger
By Lyndi Allen August 13, 2026
IL Corn farmer leaders joined the 2026 Illinois Ag Legislative Roundtable, hearing from gubernatorial candidates Darren Bailey and Gov. JB Pritzker, as well as U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy.
IL Corn, Illinois Farm Bureau, and Illinois Ag in the Classroom staff and interns at Marquis Energy
By Pearl McDade August 13, 2026
Interns tour Marquis, exploring ethanol, carbon capture, and innovation that supports Illinois farmers and jobs.
Show More