The use of cover crops in agriculture has many agronomic and economic benefits as well as challenges.

Test weight is a measurement of bulk density or weight of a unit volume of grain, which for corn is pounds per bushel. Grain yield is determined by the number of kernels per acre and the weight of each kernel, which is represented by the following equation:

Stalk cannibalization, remobilization of sugars from the stalks to fill the kernels, resulting in reduced carbohydrate content in the stalks, is the cause of many weakened corn plants that may be found in a field at the end of the season.