When it comes to cover crops in Ontario, the three leading options for farmers tend to be red clover frost-seeded into wheat, oats after wheat, and the versatile cereal rye, which fits lots of spots that call for cover.
There are also a host of other cover crops that make up multiple species mixes, as well as newer crop options looking for a piece of the action. In this report, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness soil management specialist Jake Munroe shares what he’s learning about winter camelina, a new kid on the cover crop block.
A winter annual brassica related to canola, camelina is gaining interest due to its versatility and unique properties. It can be seeded as late as mid-October, providing soil cover and protection for soybean stubble before corn. Munroe notes that camelina has a different growth habit and root system compared to cereal rye, breaking down more rapidly and posing less risk of nitrogen tie-up.
Early trials show no negative impact on corn yields, but there are some challenges including variable establishment, sensitivity to certain herbicides, and potential slug feeding. In the report, Munroe looks at how camelina stacked up against cereal rye in the first year of research trials and shares his 2025 plans to put camelina to the test to determine where and how it could fit in Ontario.
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