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Perryville Today
By the People, for the People
No-Till Farmers Optimize Drills for Better Cover Crop Seeding
Proper maintenance and customization are key to successful cover crop establishment with no-till drills.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:44am
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An abstract visualization of the intricate mechanics and precise adjustments required to optimize no-till drills for successful cover crop seeding.Perryville TodayNo-till farmers have a variety of options for seeding cover crops, from airplanes to highboy seeders. But many prefer to use no-till drills, which require careful maintenance and customization to ensure effective cover crop establishment. Experts recommend treating cover crops like cash crops, replacing worn parts, and fine-tuning drill settings to account for factors like crop rotation, cover crop species, geography, and soil type.
Why it matters
Cover crops play a critical role in no-till systems by improving soil health, reducing erosion, and providing other agronomic benefits. Optimizing no-till drill performance is essential for successful cover crop establishment, which can be challenging due to the unique requirements of different no-till operations.
The details
No-till farmers should regularly maintain their drills, replacing worn parts like coulters, discs, and pivot bushings to ensure proper seed placement. Adjusting drill settings based on factors like cover crop species and soil conditions can also improve results. Addressing issues like seed getting wet in the delivery system during rain can help prevent premature germination in the drill.
- No-till farmers typically seed cover crops in the fall after cash crop harvest.
The players
Ron Hoover
A coordinator of on-farm research at Penn State University who advises no-till farmers to treat cover crops like cash crops and maintain their drills accordingly.
H. Grant Troop
A no-till farmer from Perryville, Maryland who regularly replaces worn disc-opener blades and follows a lubrication schedule to keep his no-till drill in top condition.
What they’re saying
“If the cover crop is as important as we think it is, then let's treat it as an important crop.”
— Ron Hoover, Coordinator of on-farm research
“Proper drill maintenance is key to achieving better seed placement.”
— H. Grant Troop, No-till farmer
What’s next
No-till farmers should continue experimenting with different drill settings and maintenance practices to optimize cover crop establishment on their individual operations.
The takeaway
Successful cover crop seeding with no-till drills requires a proactive approach to drill maintenance and customization. By treating cover crops like cash crops and fine-tuning their equipment, no-till farmers can improve stand establishment and realize the full benefits of cover cropping in their no-till systems.
