Five Reliable Cover Crop Choices After Michigan Wheat Harvest

By Andi Anderson

With wheat harvest complete in Michigan, producers have an excellent window to add cover crops to their fields. Planting in mid-summer provides time for establishment and offers benefits that extend well into the next season. Cover crops improve soil health, suppress weeds, and reduce erosion, all while adding diversity to a cropping system.

Benefits of cover crops

Cover crops provide multiple advantages. Legumes like clovers or vetch add nitrogen, enhancing soil fertility. Crops also help suppress weeds, preventing late-season flushes from maturing and adding to the weed seed bank.

In addition, living roots protect against erosion, holding soil through Michigan’s harsh winters and wet springs.

Some species, such as cereal rye, survive winter and provide early spring ground cover, moisture uptake, and even forage opportunities for livestock. Others, like radishes or oats, winter-kill but still leave beneficial root structures to improve soil condition.

Five reliable options after wheat harvest

• Red or Berseem Clover – Excellent nitrogen fixers, these can be drilled into wheat stubble or frost-seeded. Berseem establishes reliably in summer but comes at a higher seed cost.
• Radish and Oats Mix – A favorite among growers, especially in heavy soils. Radishes break compaction while oats provide quick cover. This mix typically winter-kills, leaving clean fields for spring planting.
• Soil Building Mix – A blend of ryegrass, crimson or berseem clover, and rapeseed or canola offers strong soil cover, but requires careful herbicide management for successful termination.
• Sorghum Sudan Grass – Ideal for maximizing biomass, it can be seeded alone or with species like millet, cowpeas, or sunn hemp. Adding nitrogen at planting supports vigorous growth.
• Custom Mixes – Farmers can design “cocktail” mixes tailored to specific goals such as forage, weed suppression, or soil building. Seed suppliers can assist with cost-effective and effective combinations.

Planting considerations

Successful establishment depends on conditions. Grain drills or seeders provide strong seed-to-soil contact, while broadcasting may require higher seeding rates. Timely planting with adequate moisture is key for uniform germination.

While not a one-size-fits-all solution, cover crops after wheat can greatly benefit soil fertility, reduce erosion, and suppress weeds.

By experimenting with mixes, rates, and planting methods, producers can find what works best for their systems and reap long-term rewards from healthier, more resilient fields.

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