According to a 2015 national cover crop survey, 2014 corn yields saw a 2.1% average increase and a 4.2% average increase in soybeans nationally. Over 1,200 farmers were surveyed and it was conducted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) with funding from the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). The survey also revealed that the cover crop acreage per farm has more than doubled in the past 5 years. 

 

Besides yield increase, the top benefits noted on the survey were increased soil health, increased organic matter, and reduced soil erosion. The survey also took stock of challenges faced by growers which were establishment, cover crop seed cost, and the time and labor required for planting and managing the cover crop. If you would like to take a look at the full survey, please visit www.sare.org.

 

This may lead to the question, why are farmers trying cover crops? Research has shown that cover crops help increase organic matter in the soil and improve overall soil health by adding living roots to the soil during more months of the year. Cover crops can improve water infiltration in heavier soils and build organic matter in sandy soils that will absorb and retain more water, making them less susceptible to runoff and erosion. This means more water will be available for crops when they need it. Deep-rooted crops like forage radishes create natural water passages. Legume cover crops serve as natural fertilizers while grasses scavenge nutrients that are often lost after harvest.  

 

Contact Mary Monte or Miranda Wagner at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) if you would like to utilize cover crops on your farm or to apply for financial assistance ranging from approximately $36-$55/acre! We can be contacted at 763-241-1170 extension 3.