The establishment of cover crops following silage corn can be a challenge in the Northeast with sometimes marginal environmental benefits in the fall and winter. The establishment of cover crops at the time of corn planting takes advantage of good soil moisture, a prepared seed bed and early growth. Herbicides are used to suppress the cover crops while controlling weeds. Studies were conducted using different herbicides, cover crops and their seeding rates to develop a system allowing for good weed control, corn yields and improved cover for environmental benefits. Results show no significant yield reduction with this system when cover crops are sown at the recommended rates and weeds are adequately controlled. A soil quality study was conducted after four years of this system comparing the soil physical and biological affects of an annual ryegrass cover crop with conventional and zone-tillage. Soil measurements include: bulk density, infiltration, wet aggregate stability test, pore size distribution, particulate organic matter fractions, percent decomposition and mineralizable nitrogen. The annual ryegrass cover crop significantly improved soil quality as measured by small aggregate stability and mineralizable nitrogen with both tillage systems. Silage corn with ryegrass cover crop with conventional tillage had improved soil quality over corn silage with zone-till alone. The best affects were found with both ryegrass cover crop and zone-till.