Crop Roller Development
Cover Crop RollerNo-till and organic farmers who manage cover crops as part of their no-till farming operations will appreciate the Cover Crop Roller developed and patented by The Rodale Institute. Read an in-depth article about the development of the Cover Crop Roller, at The New Farm, an online magazine of The Rodale Institute. Briefly, the Cover Crop Roller was developed to overcome the shortcomings of knocking down an existing cover crop and then planting on no-till farms. Finding the right equipment has been the biggest barrier to no-till farming. Now, with a no-till planter attached to the back of the tractor and the Cover Crop Roller mounted to the front, a farmer can roll and plant all in the same pass! Read more about the benefits and specifications of the Cover Crop Roller here. The rolling and crimping action of the blades will transform a field of vetch, rye or other cover crop into a thick, weed suppressing mulch. |
 In the photo above, the plow-till corn on the left was actually planteda few weeks earlier than the no-till corn on the right. The no-till corn is already taller and more vigorous in growth. |
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 This cover Crop of wheat and hairy vetch is ready to be rolled. Rodale researchers recommend waiting for at least 50% bloom for amximum success. |
 This is the same field as the field on the right 18 days later. The mulch will increase weed suppression and helps reduce soil water evaporation. |
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Front Crop Roller |
Trailed Crop Roller |