For generations, farmers have looked for ways to work smarter, not harder. In West Central Missouri, that innovation is taking flight…literally. Agricultural drones are now spreading cover crops into standing corn, giving farmers a head start on soil health while their cash crops are still in the field.
Why Fly Cover Crops Into Standing Corn?
The concept is simple but powerful: instead of waiting until harvest to plant cover crops, farmers can use drones to spread seed while corn is still standing at around 25% moisture.
“I’m typically about that first or second week of August when I really like to fly it into my corn,” explains Brent Pearson of Pearson Farms. “You get a lot more benefit—a lot more green once you come in and shell off the corn.”
The timing advantage is significant. By getting seed in the ground early, farmers can establish their cover crop before the first frost, extending the growing season and maximizing the benefits.
The Drone Setup for Spreading Seed
Converting a spray drone to a seed spreader is surprisingly straightforward. The spraying tank gets replaced with a spreader tank, and instead of liquid coming through nozzles, seed disperses from the tank itself.
The drone flies at approximately 25 miles per hour, maintaining a 15-foot height and creating consistent swath coverage across the field. For operators, drones offer distinct advantages over traditional aircraft, especially on irregularly shaped fields with tree lines and tight boundaries.
The Six-Way Cover Crop Blend
Pearson runs a diverse six-way blend including wheat, hairy vetch, purple top turnips, groundhog radishes, and crimson clover. Each component serves a purpose.
The radishes and turnips are particularly impressive for breaking compaction. “We pulled up some purple tops that were just the size of a volleyball,” Pearson recalls. “And groundhog radishes, I couldn’t dig deep enough to pull them up. We’re talking 30-inch tap roots.”
Double-Dipping: Cover Crops Meet Cattle
What sets this operation apart is the integration of livestock. After the corn comes off, cattle graze the cover crop, creating what Pearson calls “double-dipping” on every acre.
“If I can buy some cows or heifers and put them on here, like on that rye last year, I was getting three to three-and-a-half pounds a day gain,” he says. “It’s almost free money when it’s worth $4 a pound.”
The benefits compound: reduced hay costs, free fertilizer from manure, improved soil structure from the diverse root systems, and additional income from weight gain on cattle.
Lessons from 15 Years of Cover Cropping
After 15 years of experimenting with cover crops, Pearson points to two key takeaways.
First, water retention has been transformative. “We’ve been dry two years in a row here, and the corn crop looks pretty good considering,” he notes. Those deep radish tap roots help capture and hold every tenth of an inch of rainfall.
Second, economics work when you maximize each acre’s potential. Running cattle on cover crops, building soil health for next year’s cash crop, and reducing erosion all add up to tighter margins in challenging times.
For multi-generational farms trying to stay profitable, thinking outside the box—whether that’s drones or integrated grazing—isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential.
Ready to Maximize Every Acre?
Whether you’re exploring cover crops, looking to improve soil health, or searching for ways to get more from your operation, the AgXplore team is here to help. Our agronomists work with farmers across the country to develop customized solutions that fit your ground, your goals, and your bottom line.
Contact our team today to start a conversation about what’s possible on your farm.
