National trials highlight top-performing cover crop varieties for different growing conditions.
Choosing a cover crop involves more than deciding which species to plant. The specific variety can have a major effect on establishment, winter survival, biomass production, weed suppression, and overall performance under local growing conditions.
The 2025–2026 National Cover Crop Variety Testing Program provides field-based information to help farmers, agricultural advisers, and seed companies compare cover crop varieties.
Researchers conducted trials at 13 sites across the United States, including Cornell University’s Research Farm in Freeville, New York. Growing varieties under comparable conditions allowed researchers to identify differences that may be useful when making seed-selection decisions.
The trials examined six widely used fall cover crops: cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, winter canola, and radish. Commercial varieties were evaluated alongside experimental lines that are nearing potential commercial release. Researchers measured several performance indicators, including establishment, winter survival, spring biomass, maturity, plant height, and weed suppression.
Results from New York highlighted meaningful differences among varieties. In 2026, ‘ND Gardner’ cereal rye recorded the highest spring biomass at the site. ‘Survivor’ winter pea again ranked first for spring biomass and continued to demonstrate strong weed-control potential.
For crimson clover, ‘Heusers Ostaat’ produced the greatest two-year spring biomass, while ‘Dixie’ and ‘Kentucky Pride’ also performed well and showed promising weed-suppression characteristics.
The findings reinforce the importance of considering local conditions when selecting seed. Varieties of the same species can respond differently because of traits such as winter hardiness, growth rate, maturity, and establishment ability.
The Cover Crop Breeding Network, founded in 2015, is also working to develop improved cover crop genetics. Its 2026 releases include promising hairy vetch, winter pea, and crimson clover lines. CCB Doudlah Diehard winter pea, for example, outperformed the WyoWinter check across 34 site-years, with particularly strong results in northern areas.
As cover crops become more common, variety-specific trial results can help farmers select seed that better fits their climate, field conditions, and management goals.
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