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Farmers realize significant benefits from cover crop usage

While incentive payments may have helped drive cover crop adoption, a recent study finds that isn’t the only reason farmers continue to plant them. Ryan Heiniger, executive director of the Conservation Technology Information Center, says the National Cover Crop Survey reports farmers are seeing a wide range of benefits. The survey was conducted by the CTIC, Sustainable Ag Research and Education group, and the American Seed Trade Association. “Soil structure, less soil erosion, less soil compaction are among the many benefits that farmers are seeing and rating as some of the top benefits that they’ve observed in using cover crops,” he says.

He says land ownership was once considered a barrier to cover crop use, but the study tells a different story.  “14.2% of cover crop users do not own any of the land that they farm, compared to only 9.6% of non-cover crop users not owning any of the land they farm,” he says.

Dr. Rob Myers with the University of Missouri says one-quarter of cover crop users have received incentive payments.  “But 67% said definitely yes, they’re going to stick with cover crops after those payments end another almost 23% said probably yes,”. “So, we’re looking at about 90% or saying they’re either definitely or probably going to stick with cover crops after those incentive payment end.”

Myers is also the national liaison on cover crops and soil health for the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension (SARE) group

The survey polled nearly 800 farmers representing 40 states and raised a wide-range of crops.  Respondents were current cover crop users, former users, and farmers/growers who have never planted cover crops. 

A full link to the story can be found HERE.