REAPING THE BENEFITS OF UNDER SEEDED RED COVER IN WHEAT

Feb 12, 2020

It's time to setup our 2020 crop plans! One of the most important things we can do is look at ways to improve the health of our soils while making our fields more productive.

Making crop plans for fields already planted into Winter Wheat is the next step to make sure we can optimize yields with proper inputs and improve soil health with cover crops.

Planting a cover crop such as red clover is one of the easiest ways to reap the benefits of this very common crop. Many of us have under seeded clover into our wheat crops in the past, some with excellent results and some not so great. Let’s go over the benefits clover has to offer from a soil health, rotational aspects as well some tips to help zero in on the proper time to plant, and the benefits clover adds to your crop rotation.

Picking the correct clover

The two main red clovers that are used are single cut and double cut. The seed will germinate well under lower temperature which makes it a great fit for frost seeding into your winter wheat stand in the early spring. Single cut is slower growing, takes approximately two weeks longer to mature than double-cut, does not flower in seeding year and is more drought tolerant. Double cut can also be a great for soil conditioning. When both clovers are left to grow until mid-October the differences in total biomass are negligible.

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Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.