Calculate cover crop seeding rates adjusted for planting method, total seed needed, and cost per acre. Supports single species and custom mixes with drilled, broadcast, and aerial application factors.
Select your cover crop species and planting method to get the adjusted seeding rate. The calculator accounts for higher rates needed when broadcasting or aerial seeding compared to drilling.
Adjusted Seeding Rate = Base Rate × Method Factor
Method factors: Drilled = 1.0×, Broadcast = 1.5×, Aerial = 1.75×. Broadcasting and aerial seeding require higher rates because seed-to-soil contact is poorer and germination is lower.
Total Seed = Adjusted Rate × Area (acres)
Total Cost = Total Seed × Price per lb
Planting cereal rye (base rate 90 lb/acre) on 20 acres, drilled: Adjusted rate = 90 × 1.0 = 90 lb/acre. Total seed = 90 × 20 = 1,800 lb. At $1.50/lb: $2,700 total, or $135/acre. If broadcast instead: 90 × 1.5 = 135 lb/acre, costing $202.50/acre.
1. Enter your field area in acres. 2. Select the cover crop species (or choose Custom Mix and enter your own rate). 3. Select your planting method — drilling uses the base rate, broadcasting and aerial seeding need higher rates. 4. Enter the seed price per pound. Click Calculate.
Cover crops protect soil from erosion, suppress weeds, fix nitrogen (legumes), scavenge nutrients, add organic matter, and improve soil structure. Choosing the right seeding rate ensures adequate ground cover without wasting seed. The method factor accounts for the lower establishment success of broadcast and aerial seeding.
Common mistakes: Using drilled rates for broadcast seeding — you'll get thin stands and weed encroachment. Planting too late in fall — cover crops need 4-6 weeks of growth before frost to establish well. Forgetting to account for mix proportions — in a mix, each species gets a fraction of the total rate.
✓ Expert Reviewed: This calculator and its content have been reviewed by agricultural experts. Formulas are based on standard extension service recommendations.