Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) surveyed more than 1,200 farmers on their use of cover crops in 2015. Their results showed an increase in corn and soybean yields, which showed a mean increase of 3.66 bushels per acre in corn (2.1 percent) and 2.19 bushels per acre in soybeans (4.2 percent).
“It’s great to see the immediate benefits of yield increases from cover crops and very exciting to see that the use of cover crops continues to expand,” Chad Watts, CTIC program director, told AgWeb.
In addition to yield increases, rate improvements in soil health, increases in soil organic matter, reduced soil erosion and improved weed control are among the highest rated benefits reported by farmers using cover crops.
“Results from the survey help guide policy, research and education on cover crops. In recent years, data from cover crop surveys has been used in testimony on Capitol Hill, featured in the New York Times and cited in academic journals,” Watts said.
CTIC is requesting farmers to participate in its annual cover crops survey. Click here to take the 2016 survey.
Farmers considering planting cover crops can take advantage of a new tool from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) that measures seed establishment costs, erosion reductions, grazing opportunities, soil fertility levels, nutrient credits and more.
The USDA cover crop economics tool can be found here.