Choosing the Right Cover Crop Variety Boosts Results

By Blake Jackson

Selecting the right cover crop species is only part of the decision for farmers. Variety selection can also influence how well a cover crop establishes, survives winter, produces biomass, and suppresses weeds.

The 2025-2026 National Cover Crop Variety Testing Program report offers farmers, agricultural advisers, and seed companies field-based comparisons of cover crop varieties grown under similar conditions. Trials were conducted at 13 locations across the United States, including the Cornell University Research Farm in Freeville, New York.

Researchers evaluated six commonly planted fall cover crops: cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, winter canola, and radish. The trials compared commercial varieties with experimental lines approaching commercial release.

Researchers recorded characteristics such as establishment, winter survival, biomass production, maturity, plant height, and weed suppression.

Results demonstrate why local conditions matter when choosing a variety. At the New York trial site, ‘ND Gardner’ cereal rye produced the highest spring biomass in 2026. ‘Survivor’ winter pea led spring biomass production for the second consecutive year while also providing effective weed control.

For crimson clover, ‘Heusers Ostaat’ generated the highest two-year spring biomass. ‘Dixie’ and ‘Kentucky Pride’ also delivered strong biomass while offering improved weed suppression.

Varieties within the same species can perform differently because of differences in traits such as winter hardiness, growth rate, maturity, and establishment. This makes field-based variety data valuable for farmers who want to match seed choices with local growing conditions and management objectives.

The Cover Crop Breeding Network, a national partnership established in 2015, is also developing improved varieties. Its 2026 release list includes promising hairy vetch, winter pea, and crimson clover lines.

One example, CCB Doudlah Diehard winter pea, showed stronger performance than the WyoWinter check across 34 site-years, particularly in northern regions.

As cover crop adoption expands, variety-specific performance data can help farmers make more informed decisions beyond simply choosing a crop species.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling