Cover Crop With Purpose

Cover crops can help address several management challenges including erosion, soil compaction, water infiltration, problem weeds and nutrient loss. They can also provide forage for grazing livestock and earn carbon credits to sell to various buyers who support carbon sequestration initiatives. Defining and prioritizing goals for individual fields will guide decisions about specific species, seeding methods, termination timing and other logistical considerations.

Considering the economics of cover crops is an important step in the adoption process. While cover crops introduce new costs, like seed, fuel, equipment adjustments, and labor for seeding and termination, they also hold the potential for increased profitability. Crop yields may take a few years to adjust to the soil system change, but national economic analyses show that cover crops typically have a net cost at first, but on average, they break even by the third year. Over time, they can pay in the form of higher yields, fewer crop inputs, improved water management, carbon markets and more.

Cover crops become part of the overall agronomic system, not just an additional input. Like any new practice, integrating cover crops is a process. Many farmers and agronomists recommend starting small, talking with experienced cover croppers, and trying different methods to determine what fits best. These resources reveal areas that may need adjustment to get the most value from the whole systems approach.