2015 COVER CROP GUIDE. Protect your land from the roots up.

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1 2015 COVER CROP GUIDE Protect your land from the roots up.

2 BRASSICAS BRASSICAS Maintain Your Soil s Full Potential It s the foundation that s important. And when the weather strikes cool and dry, you ve got to act fast before you lose valuable nutrients in your soil. Lucky for you, it s easy to protect your land just choose from a selection of cover crops from NRG Ag Services & Supply. We have special mixtures of clovers, cereal grains, annual ryegrass and more. Not because we can t make up our minds but because we know your land is different from your neighbor s. And if we don t have something for your soils, we ll make it. Easy as that. Purple Top Turnip This turnip variation delivers nutrients back into the soil. The globe roots take about 55 days to reach maturity, dying come December. They may live until spring in the case of a mild winter but are easy to terminate. Dwarf Essex Rape This cool-season brassica grows rapidly in the fall and makes a great alternative in crop rotations. The crop opens up the subsoil with a forked taproot and releases chemical compounds to help kill soil-borne pests and pathogens, including nematodes. This crop is a viable alternative to Tilth Pro Nitro Radish, when the seeding date is later in the year. Nitro Radish With superior genetics and an aggressive-acting brassica taproot, Nitro Radish drills through compaction like it s no more than butter. Once rooted deep, the radish crop recycles nutrients to improve your soil quality and economic crop production. When it dies in the winter, the plant decomposes and releases bio-active plant chemicals and nutrients. Germinates and grows quickly Improves soil tilth Develops a deep taproot Recycles nutrients Suppresses weeds Improves water infiltration

3 CLOVERS CEREAL GRAINS White Ladino Clover Growing a tad taller than typical white clover, white ladino clover produces a higher-quality forage with larger leaves and stems that work great for fall seeding or pastures. Grazed ladino white clover is highly digestible with high crude protein running about 28 percent. Crimson Clover Crimson clover a legume traditionally used as a forage in the Southern United States is a rapidlygrowing winter cover crop that works in a variety of rotations, including corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, potatoes, snap beans and grain sorghum. Crimson clover is adapted to cool conditions and tolerates most soil types. Fixates nitrogen Improves soil quality Suppresses weeds Controls erosion Attracts beneficial insects Winter Rye This cereal cover crop builds soil and scavenges nitrogen. Its massive foliate increases soil coverage, reduces foliar diseases and retains moisture during dry conditions. Due to its high carbon ratio, winter rye can increase organic matter and suppress weeds. Consider this crop when planting soybeans the following spring. Barley Barley is an overwintering cover crop used for erosion control, nutrient recycling and weed suppression. Barley is an excellent source of biomass, and its thick root system can help improve soil structure and water infiltration. It is also a drought-tolerant cover crop and can tolerate more alkaline soils than other cereal grains. Oats Oats work to prevent soil erosion, scavenge nitrogen and protect the soil with minimal maintenance needed. Oats along with the Nitro Radish will grow quickly in the fall to help cover the soil surface and suppress weeds. When mixed with winter rye, turnips and clover, it can also be used for a high-quality forage for grazing. Triticale A cross between two cereal crops, winter rye and wheat, Triticale is a combination of drought tolerance and disease resistance. It is a high-quality forage that can be cut for hay or silage. And it not only benefits the soil, but it s also an excellent crop for feeding beef or dairy cattle.

4 PEAS VETCH ANNUAL RYEGRASS COVER CROP SPECS Austrian Winter Peas Winter peas, like their name suggests, have good winter hardiness and are highly palatable for livestock forage. They can be planted in the fall for quick germination to provide effective weed suppression and biomass, and produce nitrogen. TNT Vetch (Hairy Vetch) Hairy vetch a vine crop that grows slowly in the fall with roots that take hold in the winter delivers mineralized nitrogen to soil as it scavenges phosphorous. This crop is ideal for soil with little water holding capacity and is shade and drought tolerant. But since it s a vine, it must be terminated early, before the plant becomes overgrown. KB Royal Annual Ryegrass KB Royal annual ryegrasses scavenge nitrogen and promote nutrient cycling, which translates to bigger harvests and better profits. During dry seasons, annual ryegrass can contribute to larger yields with deep roots that create channels for crop roots to readily follow. Increased winter hardiness Breaks up compacted soil Improves soil health, organic matter and productivity Scavenges available nitrogen, reducing the need for extra inputs May reduce soybean cyst nematode pressure Qualifies you for state and federal conservation incentives Provides source for livestock forage Species Seeding Rate/A Seeding Date Clover Drilled Aerial White Ladino Clover Mar-May Alsike Clover Aug-Sept Crimson Clover Aug-Sept Red Clover Aug-Sept Sweet Clover Aug-Sept Brassicas Tilth Pro Nitro Radish July-Mid Sept Purple Top Turnip Aug-Mid Oct Dwarf Essex Rape Aug-Mid Oct Cereal Grains Barley Sept-Early Nov Oats Late Aug-Mid Oct Winter Rye Sept-Early Nov Triticale Sept-Early Nov Peas and Vetch Austrian Winter Peas Aug-Mid Oct TNT Hairy Vetch Aug-Mid Oct Annual Ryegrass KB Royal Annual Ryegrass Late Aug-Mid Oct JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC White Ladino Alsike, Crimson, Red, Sweet Clovers Nitro Radish Barley, Winter Rye, Triticale Turnip, Rape, Winter Peas, Vetch KB Royal, Oats

5 FORAGES FORAGES Alfalfa Alfalfa is a perennial deep rooted legume. It is a great selection for hay production or grazing, and is one of the most high-quality forages available. When selecting an alfalfa, consider the DRI (disease rating index), WSI (winter survival index) and FD (fall dormancy) relative to your location. Orchard Grass Orchard grass is a cool season bunch grass that is mediumto long-lived and performs best on well-drained soils. Early and late maturing varieties are available depending on if it is being used for hay production or grazing. Perennial Ryegrass Perennial ryegrass is a fast establishing and palatable grass. It is a great choice for long-term use in grazing pastures or hay production. Fescue Fescue is commonly used because of its versatility; it can be used for waterways, erosion control, forage, pastures, and lawns. The crop does well in areas with low fertility and is one of the most drought-resistant field grasses. Timothy Timothy is a cool season perennial bunch grass. It is ideal for hay production, and performs well in pasture and waterway mixes. Forage Alfalfa Price/lb. Call for pricing Orchard Grass $2.60 Perennial Ryegrass $1.20 Fescue $1.70 Timothy $2.25 We have a variety of other cool and warm season grasses available. Please call for information on other seeds, so we can put together a mix that best suits your farm s goals.

6 PLACEMENT GUIDELINES PLACEMENT GUIDELINES Cover Crop Placement Guidelines NRG Ag Services & Supply has high-quality cover crop mixes to help your operation sustain and prosper even in the off season. Follow our recommended guidelines to find options for your farm, and then call a representative to discuss the details of the best cover crop mix for your fields. What is your goal with the cover crop? What Crop will you be planting into? Nutrient scavenging Corn Soybeans Nitrogen source Reduce compaction Feed and impact the biology populations Weed suppression Build soil tilth Erosion control Graze livestock What level of management do you want with your cover crop? Advanced level Have a termination plan in place before considering; the cover crops species can be difficult to kill in certain environmental conditions. Moderate level Have a termination plan in place, but the crop should be easier to kill in normal Indiana conditions. Low level Plant it and forget it. Winter weather will kill the crop most often. Still scout it to make sure plants from dormant seeds are controlled.

7 COMBINATIONS COMBINATIONS Cover Crop Options These combinations of cover crops are very common in much of Indiana and the Midwest. You are not limited to these mixes. We can create any mix for you depending on your needs and farm goals. Before Corn Application: Aerial, Broadcast, or Drill Oats and Nitro Radish Crimson Clover and Nitro Radish KB Royal Annual Ryegrass, Crimson Clover, and Nitro Radish Before Soybeans Application: Aerial, Broadcast, or Drill Winter Rye and Nitro Radish KB Royal Annual Ryegrass and Nitro Radish Winter Rye, Purple Top Turnip, and Crimson Clover Application: Drill Winter Rye, Austrian Winter Peas, and White Ladino Clover Winter Rye, Oats, Austrian Peas, and Purple Top Turnip Application: Drill Austrian Winter Pea, Crimson Clover, Nitro Radish, and KB Royal Annual Ryegrass TNT Vetch, Crimson Clover, Austrian Winter Pea, and Nitro Radish After Wheat (But Going into Corn) Application: Aerial, Broadcast, or Drill Nirto Radish and Crimson Clover Nitro Radish, Crimson Clover, Austrian Winter Peas, TNT Vetch (any combination)

8 COVER CROP PRICING TERMINATING COVER CROPS Discover Your Perfect Mix Annual Ryegrass price/lb >8000 KB Royal Annual Ryegrass $0.70 $0.65 $0.60 Winter Rye Brassicas Tilth Pro Nitro Radish 2.20 Dwarf Essex Rape 1.05 Purple Top Turnip 1.68 Clover Crimson Clover 1.50 White Ladino Clover 2.70 Cereal Grains Oats 0.30 Triticale 0.55 Winter Barley 0.34 Peas and Vetch Austrian Winter Pea 0.77 TNT Vetch 1.90 Prices are subject to change without any prior notice. Please contact us for more information. The 4 R s of Terminating Your Cover Crop 1. Read the Plant. Make sure the plant is actively growing. A semi-dormant plant will not translocate an herbicide. Six to eight inches of growth is ideal for killing your cover crops. 2. Read the Weather Report. Know your short-term weather and environmental conditions. Several days of degrees are ideal, especially if the temperature drops to the 30s at night. Spray your field during the heat of the day to make sure the chemistry will translocate from the leaves down to the roots. Cold, wet conditions slow and even stop this process. 3. Read Your Spray Water. Always make spray water. Many growers make the mistake of not making spray water any time they are using herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. This is essential for killing cover crop. First soften the water with Insure to prevent chemical tie-up due to calcium, iron and magnesium. Then use Indicate 5 to lower the ph and allow more of the active ingredient to penetrate the leaves. Indicate 5, with its patented ph indicator, changes color of your spray water as the ph changes. This makes it very easy to know the ph of your spray water. No meter necessary. Indicate 5 also has a wetting and spreading agent to reduce surface tension, ensuring uniform absorption on the leaves. 4. Read the Label. Choose the right chemistry to terminate your cover crops. Know the interactions between the herbicides you are considering. Do your research to understand the short-term and long-term effect of the herbicides you are planning on using. Always read the label before applying an herbicide. Labels have been known to change from one year to the next so it s vital to read all labels. At NRG Ag Services & Supply, we can help with the right knowledge and products to successfully get this very important job done correctly.

9 P.O. Box 274 US 136 New Ross, IN NRG Ag Services & Supply offers a diverse line of cover crop options. We work with you to build individualized solutions based on your goals and farm management style. Call a representative today to discuss the blend that s best for you NewRossGrain.com Dave Myers: myers.dave3@gmail.com Zach Flinn: zachflinn@hotmail.com Bree Ollier: beeollier@gmail.com John Deere financing options available.