One More Pass This Fall Could Pay Off All Next Year
Nov 10, 2025
Landon Van Dyke
Conservation Agronomist
NOVEMBER IS THE FINAL CALL FOR FARMERS CONSIDERING COVER CROPS THIS SEASON—but it’s not too late! With the right species and a little timing, cover crops can still be successfully seeded through November across much of Iowa.
Cereal rye continues to be the most reliable option for late seeding. Its cold tolerance, rapid germination (as low as 34° F) and flexible termination timing make it an excellent fit following corn or soybeans. Even a few weeks of fall growth can reduce erosion, capture residual nutrients and improve soil structure heading into next year’s planting.
Beyond soil protection, cover crops bring a range of on-farm benefits. They improve water infiltration, reduce surface crusting and create a more resilient seedbed in the spring. The living roots help stabilize soil aggregates, increasing organic matter and microbial activity. That means better soil health, improved trafficability and greater water-holding capacity when weather turns dry.
Farmers who plant cover crops consistently report better trafficability in spring, fewer washouts, improved water infiltration and long-term gains in organic matter. These improvements often translate to more resilient fields and reduced input needs over time.
Long-term users often report smoother planting, cleaner water leaving the field and more consistent yields during stressful growing seasons. Cover crops also help suppress weeds, provide habitats for beneficial insects and keep nutrients cycling within the root zone rather than washing away over winter.
If you’re new to cover crops, start simple: Pick a single species like cereal rye and seed it on a manageable number of acres. Focus on fields where you’ve seen erosion, ponding or compaction—those are where the payoff comes quickest.
Every acre covered this fall is an investment in the health of your soil and the future productivity of your farm. The benefits add up with time, and the best way to see them is to get started. The season isn’t over—there’s still time to plant a cover crop and set up next year’s success!
Cover crops pictured: Custom-drilled brassica blend and rye growth about 6 weeks after the corn was harvested.
Conservation Agronomist
NOVEMBER IS THE FINAL CALL FOR FARMERS CONSIDERING COVER CROPS THIS SEASON—but it’s not too late! With the right species and a little timing, cover crops can still be successfully seeded through November across much of Iowa.
Cereal rye continues to be the most reliable option for late seeding. Its cold tolerance, rapid germination (as low as 34° F) and flexible termination timing make it an excellent fit following corn or soybeans. Even a few weeks of fall growth can reduce erosion, capture residual nutrients and improve soil structure heading into next year’s planting.
Beyond soil protection, cover crops bring a range of on-farm benefits. They improve water infiltration, reduce surface crusting and create a more resilient seedbed in the spring. The living roots help stabilize soil aggregates, increasing organic matter and microbial activity. That means better soil health, improved trafficability and greater water-holding capacity when weather turns dry.
Farmers who plant cover crops consistently report better trafficability in spring, fewer washouts, improved water infiltration and long-term gains in organic matter. These improvements often translate to more resilient fields and reduced input needs over time.
Long-term users often report smoother planting, cleaner water leaving the field and more consistent yields during stressful growing seasons. Cover crops also help suppress weeds, provide habitats for beneficial insects and keep nutrients cycling within the root zone rather than washing away over winter.
If you’re new to cover crops, start simple: Pick a single species like cereal rye and seed it on a manageable number of acres. Focus on fields where you’ve seen erosion, ponding or compaction—those are where the payoff comes quickest.
Every acre covered this fall is an investment in the health of your soil and the future productivity of your farm. The benefits add up with time, and the best way to see them is to get started. The season isn’t over—there’s still time to plant a cover crop and set up next year’s success!
Cover crops pictured: Custom-drilled brassica blend and rye growth about 6 weeks after the corn was harvested.