Broadcast cover crop seeds often don't have good seed-to-soil contact, and stand counts of broadcast cover crops are often lower than those of drilled cover crops, says the University of Nebraska. A recent study shows that increasing the seeding rate can improve cover crop productivity, but only in some cases.

Cover crops can be used for different reasons, such as to provide soil erosion protection, alleviate compaction, control weeds, fix atmospheric nitrogen for the next crop, harvest for hay, and as a grazing resource. The reason for using a cover crop will determine which species or mixture of species you choose, as well as how you manage it.

Tim Reinbott, a plant scientist with the University of Missouri, discusses the different crimping dates prior to no-till planting corn into rye and hairy vetch.

Tim Reinbott, a plant scientist with the University of Missouri, discusses the benefits of no-till planting corn into green hairy vetch.

Garrett Montgomery from the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture discusses residue management and the timing of terminating various cover crops ahead of planting corn in this video from June 2016.