Cover crops form a protective canopy that not only helps increase infiltration, but also reduces soil erosion. Cover crops also reduce soil loss by slowing the velocity of runoff from rainfall and snowmelt.
Cover Crop Seeding With Loftness Spreaders
As cover crops gain popularity, many farmers are struggling to find the best way to seed them. If a person doesn’t have existing equipment that will work for seeding cover crops, it’s difficult to justify an investment in new equipment just for this task. That’s where Loftness spreaders like the F810 offer a unique advantage. Farmers can use them to spread their own fertilizer for a quick return on investment through savings on custom application costs and better application timing. But then the spreaders can also be used to broadcast cover crop seed. In fact, the wide spread width, large hopper capacity and tall frame clearance make Loftness spreaders an ideal option for cover crops. See how it compares with other options.
COMPARISON
| Loftness Spreader Used for Cover Crop Seeding | Competitive Interseeder Used Only for Cover Crops | Competitive Hopper That Requires a Separate Implement (Vertical Tillage, Cultivator, Etc.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread Pattern | 60' | 40' | 40' |
| Clearance | 44" | 30" | 30" |
| Hopper | 266 cu. ft. | 55 cu. ft. | 55 cu. ft. |
| Approximate Price | $50,000 | $70,000 | $15,000 |
Benefits of Cover Crops
Reduced Water Erosion
Increased Organic Matter
Cover crops help increase organic matter over time for healthier soils with better structure and increased moisture and nutrient holding capacity.
Less Nutrient Loss
Cover crops can store nitrogen and other unused fertilizer, which can be released for the next year’s crop, to prevent those nutrients from running off or leaching away. Farmers may also be able to utilize cover crops to help reduce nitrogen application needs for the following year’s crop.
Less Compaction
Some cover crops have deep tap roots that can penetrate and break up compacted soil layers. By improving soil structure, the cover crops may also help improve the soil’s capacity to support heavy farm equipment with less subsurface compaction.
Fewer Disease, Pest and Weed Problems
Cover crops can be a natural way to suppress soil diseases, pests and weeds.
More Livestock Feed
Cover crops can be grown for grazing or haying to provide high-quality livestock feed. They also offer an excellent habitat for wildlife, beneficial insects and pollinators.
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