Illinois

Several universities in Illinois are working to provide research information that farmers can utilize. The University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois State University, and Illinois Central College are actively involved in cover crops research. Projects range from variety trials for cereal rye, annual ryegrass, and legumes to cover crop influences on pest and disease suppression and nutrient retention. Also, there are many cover crop field days and programs around the state giving growers a first-hand look at cover crops and a chance to hear from those with cover crop experience.


Cover Crop Recipes

Recipe - Post Corn, Going to Soybean: Use Cereal Rye

Planting a cover crop ahead of a soybean cash crop is often the easiest way to introduce cover crops into your rotation.

Recipe - Post Corn, Going to Soybean: Use Oats/Radish

Planting cover crops prior to corn requires a different set of management considerations than planting them prior to soybean.


Additional Resources

Various agencies provide cover crop services at a local level. These resources can help with technical support and answer questions from a local perspective at no cost.

The current mission of the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) is to build and sustain an organization that empowers the on and off campus community working to advance sustainable and organic food and farming systems in Illinois.

Feel free to contact your MCCC state representative for local questions and recommendations. Your MCCC state representative's contact information can be found on the State Contacts tab.

MCCC STATE CONTACT

Nathan Johanning
Extension Educator, Commercial Agriculture
University of Illinois Extension, Unit 22 serving Madison, Monroe, & St. Clair Counties
901 Illinois Ave., Suite A; PO Box 117
Waterloo, IL 62298
Phone: 618-939-3434
E-mail: njohann@illinois.edu

OTHER CONTACTS

Russel Higgins

Extension Educator, Integrated Pest Management
University of Illinois Extension
3435 N. Higgins Rd.
Morris, IL 60450
Phone: 815-274-1343
E-mail: rahiggin@illinois.edu


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