Cover crops a smart investment for your farm

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Cover crops are a valuable tool for farmers, but they can be expensive to establish. A new study from Cornell University finds that farmers who have participated in cover crop incentive programs continue to plant cover crops even after payments stop.

The study surveyed 328 farmers in New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. On average, farmers who had participated in a cover crop incentive program used double the amount of cover crops on their farms even after payments stopped.

One farmer in the study, Rick Villnave of Villnave Family Farms in Cortland County, New York, said he has seen a number of benefits from cover cropping, including increased yields, reduced erosion, and less need for fertilizer.

"We're in our fourth year of doing cover cropping and now we're reaping the rewards for doing it over and over," Villnave said. "We're seeing yields increase, and with the ups and downs in weather and especially the severe rainstorms that we have come through, we are starting to see less erosion."

Villnave said he has also been able to use less fertilizer on his fields as the cover crops have helped the soil retain nitrogen.

"Compared to last year, we're looking at a $10,000 savings so it's a very important tool. Less fertilizer also means less leaching," he said.

Cover crops are plants that are grown to protect and improve soil health. They are not harvested, but instead allowed to grow and die on the field. Cover crops help to prevent erosion, improve soil fertility, and reduce pesticide and fertilizer use.

While cover crops can be expensive to establish, the long-term benefits can be significant. Cover crops can help farmers to improve their yields, reduce their costs, and protect their environment.

The Cornell study suggests that cover crop incentive programs can be an effective way to encourage farmers to adopt cover cropping practices. The programs can help farmers to overcome the initial cost barrier of establishing cover crops, and once farmers see the benefits of cover cropping, they are more likely to continue using the practice even after payments stop.

Cover cropping is a beneficial practice for both farmers and the environment. Farmers who are considering cover cropping should talk to their local extension office or soil and water conservation district to learn more about available incentive programs and resources.