Farmers shift focus to fall cover crop seeding

August 21, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

With fall approaching, more Iowa farmers are weighing cover crop options to improve soil health, manage residue and prepare fields for next season, and interest is growing among both experienced farmers and first-time users.

Brock Webb, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) conservation agronomist, says the shift is noticeable and he sees encouraging momentum for cover crops heading into fall.

“I have been meeting with farmers, getting cost-share program options for them, talking seeding rates and species selection,” says Webb. “On my ground that I’m farming, I’ve been working through that process personally.”

Webb’s hands-on experience, both advising farmers and managing his fields, gives him a clear perspective on how interest in cover crops is growing this season.

“With the amount of moisture we’ve received, a lot of new folks are trying cover crops for the first time. Maybe not on all their acres, but just getting started with an 80-acre piece or doing half their fields,” he says.

For beginners, Webb often recommends trying winter-kill species so farmers don’t have to worry about spring termination.

“They’re just getting their feet wet,” he says. “These farmers want to start using more cover crops in their rotation. They aren’t grazing or anything like that, they are just conservation-minded folks.”

Application methods

Webb stated that drilling is still a typical approach to seeding cover crops, but early seeding using a drill is typically not an option.

“Drilling will allow farmers to buy their cover crops in bulk to save costs, but that means waiting until after harvest,” he says.

But he sees a new trend taking off.

“What’s really going to be a game-changer this year is aerial applications with drones,” Webb says. “I’ve seen so many startups and younger people with drones looking to custom-apply a variety of inputs. I think there’s going to be a lot of drive to do cover crop applications with drones.”

For many new cover crop users, convenience is key.

“They are pushing the easy button and going with drones because they don’t want to spend time drilling cover crop seed after a long harvest,” Webb says.

Drones also offer precision benefits.

“They provide a safe, more accurate aerial application compared to airplanes,” Webb says. “You keep your seed on your field and you’re not crossing the neighbor’s fence line.”

Watch the weather

Timing is always important, Webb added.

“Pay attention to the forecast and try to time applications with rain. It’s not always easy when hiring a custom applicator, but moisture is good for germination,” he says.

He noted that conditions are better than in recent dry years.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who shied away from cover crops because it was so dry they didn’t want to put money into something that may not grow,” Webb says. “Going into this year, people are happy with the moisture. We seem to be catching more rains than we miss.”

Species and timing

Species selection and planting dates also make a difference, especially in soybeans.

“One mistake I’ve heard of is people applying too early into standing soybeans,” Webb says. “Going into harvest, they end up with oats taller than the soybeans, or halfway up the canopy, and that can cause issues.”

For Webb, the earlier the better when it comes to establishing cover crops.

“A lot of people prefer to wait until the first week in September, but for grazing purposes, I want to give the cover crop as much growth as possible,” Webb says. “One dealer told me anytime after August 15 is go time.”

Grazing cover crops

Grazing potential adds another dimension to cover crop management. As noted in ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation’s 2024 Insights Report discussing grazing cover crops, species selection should be tailored to livestock needs and whether fall or spring grazing is the goal.

“Diverse mixes will also help meet nutritional needs,” Webb says. “For fall and spring grazing, oats, turnips and tillage radishes are ideal. For early establishment, cereal rye, triticale, wheat and barley provide a great opportunity.”

This year, Webb is including a hybrid brassica called Vivant, a cross between forage turnip and forage rape, into his cover crop mix.

“It’s bred for quick growth, leafy biomass and minimal bulb development,” he says. “It produces about 80 percent more leaf for grazing over a normal turnip. It costs a little more, but the price is worth it knowing you have more leaf to graze.”

Because Vivant doesn’t grow as tall as grasses, Webb added it can be a good option to fly into standing soybeans without causing harvest issues.

Reach out

ISA conservation agronomists can help with fall cover crop management questions, such as seeding, cost-share programs or grazing. Click here for more information.

Written by Kriss Nelson.

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