By Katja Koehler-Cole and Aaron Nygren
Roller crimpers are gaining traction among Nebraska producers looking to reduce tillage and herbicide use — but success hinges on timing, crop selection and biomass.
During a May 22 workshop at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), attendees got a firsthand look at roller crimping in action, with demonstrations on cereal rye, triticale and wheat cover crops. The program also included discussion on management practices that improve termination rates and suppress weeds.
Roller crimpers mechanically terminate cover crops while leaving the soil undisturbed, ideally creating a thick mulch that suppresses weeds. They're commonly used by organic and regenerative farmers, as well as others looking to reduce herbicide inputs or improve weed control with cover crops.