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Cover crops: Expenses vs. return on investment

A cover crops expert says farmers should focus more on the return on investment in cover crops and less on the expense.

Jerry Hatfield is director of the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment in Ames, Iowa.

“Because as we begin to improve our soils, then we can reduce our nitrogen input into the system, we see weed control and if you’ve got cattle you can use that as a grazing system. There are many different things.”

He tells Brownfield as cover crops improve efficiency, the returns will eventually outweigh the startup expenses.

“As they add cover crops, not only are they taking up nutrients, but they are actually creating an environment that fosters soil biology. So, as they improve their soil biology, they improve their nutrient cycling, so over time actually reduce the amount of nutrients you put on.”

Hatfield says farmers must look at how cover crops, soil quality and soil health all fit together in one big picture.

Brownfield interviewed Hatfield at a Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy field day in Breese, Illinois.