We’ve already discussed all the benefits and characteristics of cover crops in our specific guide: cover cropping is a very important farming practice for the improvement and sustainable management of soil. In this new article we will discuss the sowing phase, to provide guidance on which agricultural machine you should choose to start your cover crop.
When should you sow cover crops?
The sowing period is decided depending on your aims and the crop cycle, considering the moisture and temperature conditions needed for optimal seed germination. The best time for sowing is often autumn, but it may vary depending on the farmer’s specific needs and agronomic objectives.
Autumn. Many cover crops, such as clover or Italian ryegrass, grow well in cold weather and offer many benefits both before the onset of winter and for the following spring. They are suitable for low temperatures as they withstand frost, and they don’t need a large amount of watering.
Spring. Spring cover cropping can be carried out with forage sorghum or vetch, species which grow fast and are used to prepare the ground for sowing of summer main crops. This is the preferred time of year in places where the autumn is very cold, meaning that the crop would not sprout before winter.
Summer. Some types of summer crops can be sown in summer, for example after the harvesting of autumn-winter cereals or as part of a crop rotation. In this case, the growing window will of course be shorter.
The benefits of combined seeding
As we have already seen, this type of crop is not intended to produce a financial return. The main aim is to provide benefits to the soil in preparation for a new cash crop, such as: enrichment with nutrients and nitrogen; improvement of soil structure; pest protection; and weed control. Therefore, for the farmer it is important to achieve uniform coverage while also minimising the costs of seeding and management.
Direct seeding of cover crops
The first seeding option minimises soil preparation work, eliminating procedures such as weeding, fertilising or tilling, in accordance with the guiding principles of conservation farming. This can be achieved using the direct seeding process, in which the seed is sown on untilled ground. The feasibility of this option will depend on the soil structure left by the previous crop and it is the preferred choice if the cover crop is to be used as green manure at the end of its cycle.
Seeding of cover crops on semi-tilled soil
A second option is broadcast seeding on land which has received minimal preparation, such as with a power harrow or rotary tiller, especially on land with crop residues. Good tilling results can be achieved using cultivators, such as the Alpego Cayman model: extremely versatile, it is also able to perform superficial tilling to a depth of no more than 10-15 cm.
Multiple processes in a single pass
One strategic choice for cutting costs and shortening working times is combined seeding, in which a number of processes are performed in a single pass, with simultaneous seeding. This also reduces the pressure on the soil and saves fuel, while still providing excellent results. Alpego JET-M and JET-X combined seed-drills are the best choice for seeding your cover crops, because they are designed with a distribution and metering system for unbeatable precision:
- the distribution head is equipped with the Turbo ROTA rotary device which ensures even seed distribution even when working on slopes.
- The volumetric metering unit is designed for high performance, adapts to different seed sizes and is very reliable thanks to construction in hard-wearing stainless steel.
- The RUBBER seeding bar is suitable for all ground conditions, including the most heavy-duty after bad weather, and is able to maintain a constant seeding depth.
With Alpego combinations, seed drills can be paired with soil tillage machines such as harrows, rotary tillers and disc harrows, to enable simultaneous operation in professional contexts, with the highest level of reliability and versatility at all times.
The wide Alpego range also offers other seeding solutions, suitable for every farmer’s specific needs. ASPRO and ASMAX multifunctional hoppers provide uniform distribution of seeds and fertilisers, even simultaneously, and can be paired with other machines of Alpego or other brands for combined seeding. What’s more, if fitted with the MICRO-JET additional microgranulator they can distribute granular products and very small seeds simultaneously.
Choose your next seed drill
Explore the full range, click here to download the Alpego seed drill and hopper brochure. If you prefer, you can contact your nearest dealer, who will introduce you to all our ranges’ functions and help you to choose the model which suits your needs most.
