If Dust is Flying, Keep Cover Crops in the Bag

Sep 17, 2025

By Heidi Reed and Sjoerd Willem Duiker

If you are thinking about planting a cover crop, you may be worried about the dry conditions and forecast. You're not alone. Here are some things to consider as you decide how to move forward.

Cover Crop Species Matters

Some species are better suited to face fall conditions than others. However, you need to make the best decision to achieve your cover cropping priorities, taking into consideration the soil moisture conditions.

Clovers

We are now past the planting window for successful crimson, balansa, and berseem clover establishment in Pennsylvania. If you had been waiting for rain, it is time to switch species. For red clover specifically, you can wait and frost seed in late February, but only if you expect to leave the clover in until spring of 2027.

Source : psu.edu

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.