News

Five years of Ag Economy Barometer data shows cover crop adoption continues to grow

An ag economist says the use of cover crops has increased over the past five years. 

Michael Langemeier says data from the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer says adoption has grown five percent since 2020.

“There were quite a few people that have used cover crops less than five years,” he says. “That was pretty common. There was also roughly ten percent that have been using cover crops for more than 20 years, but the average was right around 10 years.”

He tells Brownfield survey respondents use about a third of their acreage for cover crops.

“The vast majority that currently plant cover crops said they improve soil health and crop yields,” he says. “Quite a few people in this sample have been using cover crops for a longer period of time. Once you have experience with cover crops, you’re less likely to see a yield hit.”

Langemeier says more than 50 percent of producers are currently using some form of conservation.

The Barometer is a nationwide measure of the health of the U.S. agricultural economy and surveys 400 agricultural producers on economic sentiment each month.

AUDIO: Michael Langemeier, Purdue University