Cover Crops
Cover crops can provide numerous benefits from reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss to building organic matter and improving soil structure. Learn more about different cover crop species, planting methods, termination, and general cover crop management.
Cover Crop Tools and Resources
- Ag Water Management
- Iowa Learning Farms (ILF)
- Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide 3rd Edition
- Midwest Cover Crops Council
- North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
- Post Corn, Going to Soybean: Use Cereal Rye
- Post Soybean, Going to Corn: Use Oats
- Practical Farmers of Iowa
- Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual
- Cover Crop Content Index
Timely Insights on Cover Crops
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October 27, 2025Content Author
Join us for the 36th Integrated Crop Management Conference, which brings together a range of topics related to crop production, crop protection, nutrient management, and soil and water management. The event features experts sharing research updates and practical recommendations. Don’t miss this key opportunity for networking and education!
When: December 10 and 11, 2025
Where: The Meadows Events Center in Altoona, Iowa
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September 24, 2025Content Author
A practical guide for ag professionals, surveyors, and GPS users in the field.
Big changes are coming in 2026 to the geodetic reference systems “datums” behind GPS and if you're using GPS for precision ag, surveying, or construction, these changes may affect your A-B lines, boundaries, and other mapped data.
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will officially replace two outdated reference frames:
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August 28, 2025Content Author
Mid-August is the beginning of the seeding window for successful cover crop seedings of common cover crop species in a corn and bean rotation. Farmers who are wanting to incorporate cover crops into their rotation should be finalizing their cover crop plans to ensure successful cover crop stands are established. Good fall growth of cover crops is key to achieving cover crop goals.
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August 14, 2025Content Author
The spray drone industry is growing rapidly across Iowa. With this surge in innovation, Iowa producers, commercial spray drone applicators, and agtech entrepreneurs have important questions about how to adopt and integrate this powerful new tool.
That’s why Iowa State University’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab and Terraplex are proud to co-host:
Drone Spraying Essentials: From Basics to Application
Thursday, September 4th
Digital Ag Innovation Lab, 3800 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50010
9:00 am to 3:00 pm -
July 25, 2025Content Author
There is still time to register for the 2025 Nitrogen Use Efficiency Workshop to be held in Ames at the Iowa State University Alumni Center August 4-6.