Cover Crops, Pasture Mixes & Forages in Missouri

Cover crops and forages are vital to Missouri’s agricultural production system. They help to improve soil structure and fertility, reduce erosion and runoff, provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife, and even help to protect crops from the pests and diseases tha hamper farms in Missouri. Cover crops and forages also play an important role in improving the overall health of the environment by sequestering carbon and improving air quality.

Cover crops are typically grown between harvesting one crop and seeding another and are usually utilized for erosion control, nutrient recycling, weed control, and soil improvement. Common cover crops include legumes such as clover and alfalfa, common in Missouri, grasses such as rye and barley, and cruciferous plants such as mustard and radish. Cover crops are widely used in crop rotation systems, where certain crops are rotated with each season in order to maximize soil fertility and yield.

Forages, on the other hand, can be used as food for livestock. Common forage crops include grasses, legumes, and brassicas. They provide high-energy, high-protein feeds that can be used to supplement hay, grain, and silage. In Missouri, forage crops are often grown in permanent pastures or used in rotational grazing systems, which allow for a greater diversity of plants and increased animal productivity.

For farmers in Missouri, cover crops and forages can play a major role in improving soil fertility, reducing erosion, and improving the environment. They are also an important part of any farm’s production system, as they can help to increase yields and provide a source of feed for livestock. As such, it is important for farmers to be aware of the benefits of cover crops and forages and to properly manage them in order to maximize their yields and improve the overall health of their land.