Is cover crops allowed in organic farming?

Is cover crops allowed in organic farming?

Cover crops are an integral part of organic and sustainable production systems. Today’s organic farmer relies on the use of traditional cover crops (e.g., small grains, clovers, vetches) to reduce erosion, control weeds, and provide organic matter and nutrients to improve soil quality.

Are cover crops used in Canada?

Cover Crop benefits Canadian farmers are well placed to benefit from cover crops as many of the most popular crops grown in Canada only grow, and thus provide soil cover, for around four months of the year.

Which cover crop is the best?

Cover crops that provide good cover and a dense root system help stabilize soils and combat erosion. Clovers, annual ryegrass, Austrian winter peas, crown vetch, sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, rapeseed, mustards, and cowpeas are good cover crops for erosion protection.

Should cover crop seeds be organic?

The seeds and planting stock practice standard (205.204) requires organically grown seeds, annual seedlings, and planting stock be used, and thus, applies to cover crops. There are several exceptions for using non-organically grown plant materials or those treated with prohibited substances.

Is buckwheat a good cover crop?

Buckwheat is the speedy short-season cover crop. It establishes, blooms and reaches maturity in just 70 to 90 days and its residue breaks down quickly. Buckwheat cover crops suppress weeds and attract beneficial insects and pollinators with its abundant blossoms.

Why are farmers reluctant to use cover crops?

Although its benefits are well documented, cover crop use in farming systems is relatively low. Research has shown that time and money are the two primary reasons why farmers are hesitant to adopt the technique. Cover crops also increase nutrient retention and reduce soil erosion, which can improve water quality.

What can I use as a cover crop?

Cover crops are “green manures” when a gardener turns them into the soil to provide organic matter and nutrients. Green manures include legumes such as vetch, clover, beans and peas; grasses such as annual ryegrass, oats, rapeseed, winter wheat and winter rye; and buckwheat.

Are cover crops the future of soil sustainability in Canada?

For you, the Canadian farmer, soil sustainability will become a very important focus in the near future. One of the main ways to get on the road to renewing your soil’s health is to incorporate cover crops into your crop rotation.

Are your cover crop seeds GMO and non-GMO?

Our cover crop seed mixes have been composed to provide the ideal solution across any number of scenarios. Non-GMO: All of our cover crop seed is Non-GMO. We do not sell genetically engineered seeds or inoculants. No fungicide-treated seed is sold unless specifically noted.

Why plant cover crop seed?

In the end, planting cover crop seed benefits the soil, the crop, and the grower. Use the solution chart for cover crops to determine which of our cover crop seeds suit your needs. Mix it up! Our cover crop seed mixes have been composed to provide the ideal solution across any number of scenarios. Non-GMO: All of our cover crop seed is Non-GMO.

What is the best cover crop to plant in SK?

Cover Crops 1 Diakon Radish. Timing – 5 to 10 weeks prior to killing frost in Northeast SK. 2 Crimson Clover. Crimson clover is a summer annual legume best used as a nitrogen fixating cover crop. 3 Hairy Vetch. 4 Cover Crop Prices.