Cover cropping has moved from the margins to the mainstream. What was once considered a conservation practice is now a strategic part of modern farming and the data backs it up. Cereal rye, in particular, has become a staple for its ability to establish quickly, scavenge nitrogen, and suppress weeds both physically and chemically through allelopathic compounds.
With millions more acres expected to go into cover crops in the next five years, the opportunity for seed dealers is clear. But so is the challenge: as demand for rye seed increases, so does the risk of weed contamination, supply chain volatility, and quality inconsistency especially when farmers source cheap or uncertified seed.
Farm-saved seed may seem like a cost-effective option, but it often comes with hidden costs. Without proper screening and conditioning, this seed can harbor noxious weeds that spread quickly and take years to control. It also lacks the germination guarantees and lot traceability that today’s soil-focused farmers expect. For seed professionals, this leads to hard conversations and hard-earned reputations on the line.
Worse, in regions where rye is in high demand, the supply of locally grown, clean seed is sometimes limited. Due to its low yield potential, open-pollinated rye is seldom cultivated intentionally for seed in crop rotations throughout much of the Midwest. That’s pushed many companies to source cereal rye from the Dakotas or Canada introducing new costs and political risk into an already complex system.
KWS COVER+™ is a soil-first solution designed for seed professionals who want to offer a better, cleaner product to their customers. KWS COVER+™ delivers first-generation common rye seed derived directly from hybrid rye production, handled exclusively by trusted Licensed Partners and Authorized Sellers. This seed is not a crop, not a variety, and not for grain. It is strictly for protecting soil, water, and air between the production of commercial crops and it must be terminated in the spring before reaching maturity.
What sets KWS COVER+™ apart:
- It’s clean – processed and contents identified on bag tag to reduce the risk of noxious weeds
- It’s consistent – Backed by the genetic strength of KWS hybrid rye production
- It’s local – Distributed through a verified network of dealers across the U.S.
Licensed Partners or Authorized Sellers can provide customers with a high-quality soil protection option. No backdoor lots, no hidden contaminants, just peace of mind in every bag. With cover crop acreage expanding fast, now is the time to offer your growers a solution they can trust and that you can stand behind.
Want to Be Part of the KWS COVER+™ Network?
The KWS COVER+™ program is building a network of seed professionals who believe clean seed and clean soil go hand in hand. If you’re ready to deliver a better cover crop product to your customers without the headaches reach out today. Reach out to Justin Milcarek to explore how you can participate in KWS COVER+™ at: justin.milcarek@kws.com. To learn more about KWS COVER+™ visit: https://www.kws.com/us/cover/
