Cover Crop Calculator

Calculate cover crop seeding rates, seed costs, and expected biomass for single species or mixes.

Results

Visualization

How It Works

Cover crops protect soil between cash crops. They reduce erosion, add organic matter, fix nitrogen (legumes), suppress weeds, and improve water infiltration. Cereal rye is the most popular cover crop in the US due to winter hardiness and biomass production.

The Formula

Adjusted Rate = Base Rate × Method Factor
Seed Cost = Adjusted Rate × Price/lb × Acres
Method Factors: Drilled 1.0×, Broadcast 1.5×, Aerial 1.75×

Variables

  • Base Rate — Recommended drilled seeding rate in lbs/acre for each species
  • Method Factor — Broadcast and aerial seeding need higher rates due to lower seed-soil contact
  • N Fixation — Legume cover crops fix atmospheric nitrogen (crimson clover: 50-100 lbs N/acre)

Example

Cereal rye drilled at 56 lbs/acre on 100 acres: 5,600 lbs seed × $0.35/lb = $1,960 total. Produces ~4,000 lbs biomass/acre.

Tips

  • Plant cereal rye by October 15 in the Corn Belt for best establishment.
  • Terminate cover crops 10-14 days before planting with burndown herbicide.
  • Mixes of grass + legume provide both biomass and nitrogen fixation.
  • Radishes winterkill and leave root channels for spring water infiltration.
  • NRCS cost-share programs (EQIP) often pay $15-35/acre for cover crops.

More Crop Planning Calculators