Under The Covers

Fall grazing can be one of the most underused feed resources on a farm.

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James talk through how they use cover crops, corn stalks, and other forages to keep cattle grazing later into the year — and what actually makes those systems work.

They get into rye versus wheat for grazing, why cattle may prefer wheat even when rye produces more biomass, and when an oat-and-brassica mix makes sense for fall-only grazing. They also discuss why grazing mixes are often seeded heavier than minimum conservation rates when the goal is producing more feed.

From corn stalks to sorghum sudangrass, cowpeas, millets, turnips, and other cover crops, the guys share strategies for stretching the grazing season while managing frost risk, fencing, water, muddy traffic areas, and the occasional cattle-related headache.

They also talk about some of the tradeoffs they've seen, including healthier cattle and more movement in the field — but potentially lower dressing percentages compared with cattle finished in a lot.

And before they get too serious, they check the podcast listener map, discover Under the Covers has somehow reached several countries around the world, and offer a t-shirt to whoever can prove they’re listening from the farthest point away from Jefferson, Iowa.

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

Farming is a business built around risk, and when margins get tight, every decision gets a little more attention.

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James sit down with Scott Weber, Vice President at Heartland Bank in Jefferson, Iowa, and Chris Nelson of TWFG Fortress Insurance to talk about what they’re seeing from the banking and insurance side of agriculture.

They dig into high interest rates, input costs, equipment purchases, crop insurance, land values and the financial pressures shaping decisions on the farm. The conversation also turns to cover crops, cost-share programs and whether financial incentives could play a bigger role in helping farmers try conservation practices without taking on more risk.

Plus, they discuss why fear of yield loss can be such a hurdle when trying something new, and how starting with simpler, lower-management options can make cover crops a little less intimidating.

It’s a conversation about farming, finance and figuring out how much risk you’re willing to carry when there isn’t much room in the budget for mistakes.

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

Welcome back to Under the Covers, the unscripted podcast hosted by Bill and James, the founders of Iowa Cover Crop. 

In this episode, James looks back on his first year transitioning from traditional feedlot management to try his hand at pasture calving. He breaks down the steep learning curve of managing 52 cows, sharing everything from unexpected events (like a cow struck by lightning) to the ultimate rewards of getting his fifth-grade son involved in the herd's day-to-day life.

Highlights from this episode's conversation include:

• The Highs and Lows of the Calving Season: James and Bill compare their results from the year, including Bill's first-ever set of triplets and James's mental hurdle of missing a difficult delivery.
  
  
• The Birds and the Bees: How raising cattle on the range organically sparks some necessary, if awkward, family talks about the cycles of nature.
  
  
• Looking Ahead to Next Year: James lays out his ambitious future plans, from moving his calving schedule up to May, testing an AI breeding program for bulls, and hunting down a four-passenger side-by-side for family pasture tours. Meanwhile, Bill shares his thoughts on expanding his pasture and shopping for fall cows.
  
  
• The Fescue Debate & Finicky Eaters: A look at the behavioral differences between steers and cows when grazing, and how the guys manage uneven pasture growth.
  
  

Will James retain his title as an "A-minus" cattleman? And who will pull ahead in a neck-and-neck cribbage finish? Tune in to find out!

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

If you’ve ever asked, “What cover crop should I plant?” this episode is for you.

Bill and James walk through the questions every farmer should ask before picking a species or blend. From erosion control and weed suppression to grazing and soil health, they explain how your goals, crop rotation, application method, and management plan all influence the right recommendation.

The guys also break down the three major cover crop families—grasses, legumes, and brassicas—discuss where each fits, talk about when blends add value (and when they’re just expensive confetti), and share some of their favorite simple mixes for the Midwest.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Under the Covers without a few detours. Along the way, Bill and James debate their favorite presidents, dive into the history behind Jefferson’s street names, and even tackle how they’d renovate a pasture overrun with toxic fescue.

Whether you’re planting your first cover crop or looking to fine-tune your mix, this episode will help make cover crop selection a little less intimidating.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support!

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

What’s the best way to seed a cover crop? It depends.

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James break down the pros and cons of the most common ground application methods, including drills, high-clearance seeders, fertilizer spreaders, and vertical tillage. They discuss where each method shines, where each falls short, and how to match your application strategy to your goals, labor, equipment, and budget.

The conversation also dives into favorite drills, lessons learned after years of custom application, common mistakes, and why there isn’t a single “best” way to establish a cover crop.

As expected, the guys wander off course with stories about old equipment, rental cars with a mind of their own, a newfound appreciation for Lincoln Town Cars, and welcome the newest member of the Iowa Cover Crop team.

Whether you’re planting your first cover crop or looking to fine-tune your system, this episode is full of practical, farmer-to-farmer advice to help you make the most of fall seeding.

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

Water quality is back in the headlines, and this week Bill and James dig into why.

The guys discuss the latest nitrate news, how water quality has become a major issue in Iowa’s governor’s race, and what the Farm to Faucet cost-share program could mean for farmers. They also talk about stacking conservation incentives, whether today’s programs are too complicated, and how they’d redesign conservation policy if given the chance.
As always, the conversation doesn’t stay on track for long. Along the way you’ll hear stories about broken farm equipment, interactions with their dads, a look back at Iowa Cover Crop’s early meeting notes, and the announcement of a couple of new podcast sponsors.
Whether you’re interested in cover crops, conservation, or the future of Iowa agriculture, pull up a chair and join the conversation.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support!

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James talk aerial cover crop seeding: how it works, why timing matters, and why airplanes have become such an important tool for getting cover crops planted ahead of harvest.

The guys walk through the process from the farmer’s side: send in a map, choose the seed, and let the Iowa Cover Crop team handle the logistics, including loading planes with the beloved “unicorn” tender truck.

They also cover the pros and cons of aerial application, from speed, convenience, and catching early fall rains to the realities of streaking, drift, and precision. Bill and James compare airplanes to drilling and drones, and explain why each method has a place depending on the field, the species, and the timing.

Because when it comes to increasing cover crop acres, it is not airplanes versus drones versus drills. It is using the right tool for the right acre.

Follow the show so you don’t miss the next hand.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support!

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James celebrate county fair week with a look back at their 4-H days: livestock projects, static exhibits, fair memories, and the lessons that stuck around long after the ribbons were handed out.

Growing up in the Greenbrier 4-H Club, the guys talk about the impact of long-time club leaders, how 4-H clubs changed over the years, and the shift from boys’ and girls’ clubs to co-ed groups, with a detour through some classic club names along the way.

From showing cattle and hogs to static exhibits like rebuilding a John Deere tractor, building toolboxes, and making wooden stilts, this episode walks through the full fair experience. Bill and James talk about beef pen of three, the responsibility of livestock projects, the emotional side of raising animals, and the strange mix of freedom, chaos, and community that made the fair feel like the center of the universe.

They also reflect on what 4-H taught them beyond the projects: record-keeping, public speaking, production agriculture, community service, responsibility, and how to function on very little sleep.

Whether you grew up in 4-H, raised 4-H kids, judged a project, hauled livestock to the fairgrounds, or just know the beautiful madness of fair week, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support!

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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James dig into hairy vetch and the idea of growing your own nitrogen.

Hairy vetch is a winter-hardy legume with the potential to provide serious nitrogen ahead of corn, but like most things in farming, it comes with a few “well, it depends” moments. The guys talk through what makes hairy vetch exciting, what makes it tricky, and why variety selection matters more than people might think.

They also discuss their own cover crop trials comparing different vetch sources, the risk of winterkill, hard seed concerns, and why seed origin matters when trying to ensure survival through an Iowa winter. SPOILER: Not all hairy vetch is created equal and you're going to learn from our failures.

The conversation also covers mustard as a cover crop, its potential for natural fumigation, and planting green into living cover crops.

If you’ve ever wondered whether hairy vetch could help reduce nitrogen inputs, or if planting green still makes you a little nervous, this one’s for you.

Don't forget to follow the show so you don’t miss the next hand.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support!

Find us on social media in between episodes on:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/iowacovercrop
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iowacovercrop
Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James talk cows…or more accurately, Bill explains cows while James asks the questions.

James recently went all in on the cow business with two semi-loads of black cows. This episode turns into a real-world conversation about systems, management styles, and lessons learned over the years. From calving seasons and bull selection to grazing management and toxic fescue, the conversation turns into a real-world discussion between someone just getting started and someone who’s been doing it for decades.

The guys also dig into:

• Why James wants to calve in June instead of spring
• The challenges of managing heifers for the first time
• What Bill looks for when selecting bulls
• Why both guys prefer grazing over confinement systems
• The economics (and frustrations) of putting up hay
• Managing toxic fescue in pastures
• Why diversified farms may matter more in the future

The episode also touches on the bigger picture: building farming systems that work together instead of treating crops, cattle, and feed as separate operations.

If you’ve ever thought about getting cows, this one’s for you.

Follow the show so you don’t miss the next hand.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support!

Find us on social media in between episodes on:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/iowacovercrop
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Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop at www.iowacovercrop.com