OUR SERVICES

Manage Your Land Smarter, Faster, and Easier!

Cover Crops

Healthy Soil Starts Here

Drone seeding has become one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to establish cover crops across farmland. Aerial application allows growers to seed earlier, reach standing crops, and cover acres quickly without soil disturbance. The following cover crops are the most reliable and effective options for drone seeding systems, offering strong establishment and measurable improvements in soil health and erosion control.

With Heritage Drone Service, cover crops can be applied at custom rates from 2 to 200 lbs/acre to match your field’s needs.

Best Cover Crops for Drone Seeding

Cereal Rye – Most Reliable Cover Crop for Drone Seeding
Cereal rye is the top choice for drone-applied cover crops in the Midwest. Its excellent cold tolerance and aggressive early growth make it ideal for aerial seeding into standing corn and soybeans.

Benefits include:

Consistent germination using drone seeding
Superior weed suppression
Excellent erosion control and soil stability

Winter Wheat – Fast Fall Growth After Drone Application
Winter wheat responds well to drone seeding due to its quick emergence and ability to establish before frost. Key advantages:

Strong root development following aerial application
Reduced nutrient loss over winter
Works well in diverse Midwest crop rotations

Oats – Quick Establishment and Clean Spring Seedbed
Oats perform exceptionally well when drone-seeded early in the fall.

Farmers choose oats for:

Fast emergence after drone application
Natural winter-kill, leaving a mellow seedbed for spring planting
Improved fall biomass production and weed suppression

Daikon Radish (Tillage Radish) – Ideal for Drone Seeding Into Compacted Fields
Daikon radish is one of the best species for drone seeding where compaction is a concern.

Its deep taproot provides:

Excellent soil penetration when seeded aerially
Natural compaction relief and better water infiltration
Increased nutrient availability in the topsoil

Crimson & Red Clover – Drone-Seeding Option for Long-Term Soil Fertility
Clover varieties perform well when drone-seeded into standing crops or bare soil.

They offer:

Natural nitrogen fixation to reduce fertilizer costs
Improved microbial activity and soil structure
Strong early spring growth for long-term soil health

Get Quote

Double-Crop Trial Results

A Simple Change That Made a Big Difference

Double-Crop Trial Results Are In

We broadcasted soybeans at 60 lbs/acre with the drone directly into standing wheat—three weeks earlier than conventional planting. Both fields were side by side and grown under the same conditions for an accurate comparison.

What the Comparison Shows

Left – Drone-broadcast soybeans, further along with more pods.
Right – Conventionally planted soybeans, noticeably behind.

Conclusion

That earlier seeding window made a clear difference. Drone broadcasting is showing strong potential for improving double-crop soybean performance and maximizing acres.