Economic Impacts of Cover Crops for a Missouri Wheat–Corn–Soybean Rotation

In the United States, agricultural production using row-crop farming has reduced crop diversity. Repeated growing of the same crop in a field reduces soil productivity and increases pests, disease infestations, and weed growth. These negative effects can be mitigated by rotating cash crops with cover crops. Cover crops can improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties, provide ground cover, and sequester soil carbon. This study examines the economic profitability for a four-year wheat–corn–soybean study with cover crops by conducting a field experiment involving a control (without cover crops) at the Soil Health Farm in Chariton County, MO, USA. Our findings suggested that economic profitability of the cash crop is negatively affected by the cover crop during the first two years but were positive in the fourth year. The rotation with cover crops obtained the same profit as in the control group if revenue from the cash crop increased by 35% or the cost of the cover crop decreased by 26% in the first year, depending on the cost of seeding the cover crop and terminating it. This study provides insights for policymakers on ways to improve the economic efficiency of cost-share conservation programs.

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Weeds in Cover Crops: Context and Management Considerations

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11030193 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 193

Author(s):

Barbara Baraibar ◽

Charles M. White ◽

Mitchell C. Hunter ◽

Denise M. Finney ◽

Mary E. Barbercheck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Case Studies ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Ecosystem Service ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Health ◽

Ground Cover ◽

The United States ◽

Service Provisioning ◽

Herbicide Resistant

Cover crops are increasingly being adopted to provide multiple ecosystem services such as improving soil health, managing nutrients, and decreasing soil erosion. It is not uncommon for weeds to emerge in and become a part of a cover crop plant community. Since the role of cover cropping is to supplement ecosystem service provisioning, we were interested in assessing the impacts of weeds on such provisioning. To our knowledge, no research has examined how weeds in cover crops may impact the provision of ecosystem services and disservices. Here, we review services and disservices associated with weeds in annual agroecosystems and present two case studies from the United States to illustrate how weeds growing in fall-planted cover crops can provide ground cover, decrease potential soil losses, and effectively manage nitrogen. We argue that in certain circumstances, weeds in cover crops can enhance ecosystem service provisioning. In other circumstances, such as in the case of herbicide-resistant weeds, cover crops should be managed to limit weed biomass and fecundity. Based on our case studies and review of the current literature, we conclude that the extent to which weeds should be allowed to grow in a cover crop is largely context-dependent.

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Do cost-share programs increase cover crop use? Empirical evidence from Iowa

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170521000132 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Wendiam Sawadgo ◽

Alejandro Plastina

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Monetary Incentives ◽

Crop Acreage ◽

Cost Share ◽

The Public ◽

Nitrogen Loads ◽

Implementation Costs ◽

The Cost

Abstract Cover crops can generate both on-farm and water-quality benefits. However, their use in Iowa remains subdued, partly due to implementation costs faced by farmers. We tested the hypothesis that monetary incentives through cost-share programs are effective at increasing the area of farmland planted to cover crops in Iowa, as opposed to the alternative in which the participants of cost-share programs would have planted the same cover-crop acreage in the absence of payment. We found that cost-share payments induced a 15 percentage-point expansion in cover-crop acreage beyond what would have been planted in the absence of payment, among farmers who participated in cost-share programs. The estimated additionality rate was 54%, suggesting at least half of cost-share expenditures funded cover-crop acreage that would not have been planted without payment. Furthermore, we estimated the public cost to reduce nitrogen loads to Iowa waterways via cover crop, beyond what would have occurred in the absence of cost-share programs, to be $1.72–$4.70 lb−1 N ($3.79–$10.36 kg−1 N). Farmers absorbed about 70% of those costs as private losses, and cost-share payments offset the remaining 30%. Although the additionality rate estimated in this study is less than what has been found in other states, the cost-share programs in Iowa have been relatively cost-effective, due to their lower payment rate.

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Effect of Cover Crops on Yield and Leaf Nutrient Concentrations in an Organic Honeycrisp Apple (Malus domestica ‘Honeycrisp’) Orchard in Nova Scotia, Canada

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci10615-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (11) ◽

pp. 1378-1383

Author(s):

Mehdi Sharifi ◽

Julia Reekie ◽

Andrew Hammermeister ◽

Mohammed Zahidul Alam ◽

Taylor MacKey

Keyword(s):

Nova Scotia ◽

Malus Domestica ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Red Clover ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Soil Productivity ◽

Total N ◽

Leaf Nutrient Concentrations ◽

K Concentration

There is an increasing interest for use of cover crops in orchards; however, the species that are most likely to be successfully implemented and their impact on yield and soil productivity have not been fully explored under Maritimes climate. This study investigated the effect of various cover crops treatments on organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Honeycrisp) yield and leaf nutrient concentrations in Nova Scotia over 3 years. Various cover crop mixtures including legumes, cereals, and grasses were planted using a modified Swiss Sandwich System (SSS). The cover crops treatments did not affect apple yield. In 2012, the input of biomass to the soil was 89% and 144% greater for alfalfa (ALF) and other cover crop treatments than unseeded (CON) treatment, respectively. The pea, oats, vetch mixture (POVM) contributed 24% higher biomass N to soil compared with average of other cover crops in 2012. Soil available K concentration in the tilled strip was increased in the 3rd year of the study compared with the initial values across cover crop treatments. The red clover oats mixture (RCOM), POVM, and Triple Mix (TM) treatments appeared to add the greatest amount of available K to the soil among treatments. The CON, TM, and ALF treatments resulted in higher leaf Mn concentration in only 2012 and CON, sweet clover and oats mixture (SCOM), and ALF resulted in higher leaf P concentration in 2014, compared with other treatments. Cover crops did not compete with apple trees and their most beneficial and consistent contribution was to total C, total N, and K input to the soil.

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Evaluating Cover Crops and Herbicides for Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Control in Cotton

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-15-00113.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 415-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Matthew S. Wiggins ◽

Robert M. Hayes ◽

Lawrence E. Steckel

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

The United States ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

Amaranthus Palmeri ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

Herbicide Programs

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, especially GR Palmer amaranth, are very problematic in cotton-producing areas of the midsouthern region of the United States. Growers rely heavily on PRE residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth since few effective POST options exist. Interest in integrating high-residue cover crops with existing herbicide programs to combat GR weeds has increased. Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Tennessee to evaluate GR Palmer amaranth control when integrating cover crops and PRE residual herbicides. Cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter wheat, and combinations of one grass plus one legume were compared with winter weeds without a cover crop followed by fluometuron or acetochlor applied PRE. Biomass of cover crops was determined prior to termination 3 wk before planting. Combinations of grass and legume cover crops accumulated the most biomass (> 3,500 kg ha−1) but by 28 d after application (DAA) the cereal rye and wheat provided the best Palmer amaranth control. Crimson clover and hairy vetch treatments had the greatest number of Palmer amaranth. These cereal and legume blends reduced Palmer amaranth emergence by half compared to non–cover-treated areas. Fluometuron and acetochlor controlled Palmer amaranth 95 and 89%, respectively, at 14 DAA and 54 and 62%, respectively, at 28 DAA. Cover crops in combination with a PRE herbicide did not adequately control Palmer amaranth.

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Effects of Organic Fertilization and Cover Crops on an Organic Pepper System

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.18.2.215 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 215-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

K. Delate ◽

C. Cambardella ◽

A. McKern

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Production ◽

Large Scale ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

The United States ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Organic Farm

With the continuing 20% growth rate in the organic industry, organic vegetable crop production has increased to 98,525 acres in the United States. The requirement for certified organic vegetable producers to implement a soil-building plan has led to the development of soil fertility systems based on combinations of organic fertilizers and cover crops. To determine optimal soil fertility combinations, conventional and organic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production was evaluated from 2001 to 2003 in Iowa, comparing combinations of two synthetic fertilizers and three compost-based organic fertilizers, and a cover crop treatment of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and rye (Secale cereale) in a strip-tilled or fully incorporated cover crop system. Organic pepper growth and yields equaled or surpassed conventional production when nitrogen (N) was provided at 56 or 112 kg·ha−1 from compost-based organic fertilizer. Soil analysis revealed higher N in plots where cover crops were tilled compared with strip-tilled plots, leading to recommendations for sidedressing N in strip-tilled organic pepper production. Increased incidence of disease was also detected in strip-tilled plots. Postharvest weight loss after 6 weeks in storage was similar in organic and conventional peppers. The addition of calcium and sulfur products in conventional or organic fertilizer regimes did not increase pepper production or postharvest storage potential. Despite application challenges, cover crops will remain as critical components of the organic farm plan for their soil-building benefits, but supplementation with approved N sources may be required for optimal pepper production. Organic growers should conduct their own tests of organic-compliant soil amendments to determine cost effectiveness and value for their site before large-scale application.

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Cover crops use in Midwestern US agriculture: perceived benefits and net returns

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170518000194 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 38-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Alejandro Plastina ◽

Fangge Liu ◽

Fernando Miguez ◽

Sarah Carlson

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Production ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Cost Share ◽

Conservation Practice ◽

Net Returns ◽

Soil Sustainability ◽

Pros And Cons

AbstractDespite being generally accepted as a promising conservation practice to reduce nitrate pollution and promote soil sustainability, cover crop adoption in Midwestern US agriculture is low. Based on focus groups, surveys and partial budgets, we calculated the annual net returns to cover crop use for farmers in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota; and elicited farmers’ perceptions about the pros and cons of incorporating cover crops to their row cropping systems. The novelty of our methodology resides in comparing each farmer's practices in the portion of their cropping system with cover crops (typically small), against their practices in the other portion of their cropping system without cover crops. The resulting comparisons, accounting for farmer heterogeneity, are more robust than the typical effects calculated by comparing indicators across cover crop users and unrelated non-adopters. Our results highlight the complicated nature of integrating cover crops into the crop production system and show that cover crops affect whole farm profitability through several channels besides establishment and termination costs. Despite farmers’ positive perceptions about cover crops and the availability of cost-share programs, calculated annual net returns to cover crops use were negative for most participants.

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Impact of Cover Crops on Insect Community Dynamics in Organic Farming

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10060209 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 209

Author(s):

Lili Martinez ◽

Pushpa Soti ◽

Jasleen Kaur ◽

Alexis Racelis ◽

Rupesh R. Kariyat

Keyword(s):

Pest Management ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Management Strategy ◽

Community Dynamics ◽

Management Tool ◽

Insect Community ◽

Cash Crop ◽

Beneficial Insects ◽

Cash Crops

Manipulating cover crops as an integrated pest management strategy has recently gained popularity in both traditional and organic agroecosystems. However, little information is available for producers to make informed decisions about cover crop selection, management, and their potential use as a pest management tool. To address this, we conducted a two-year, four-season field experiment on the potential of various cover crops during the summer seasons of both years, followed by monocultures of cash crops during winters. We hypothesized that the cover crop treatments would attract beneficial insects and repel damaging herbivores in a species-specific manner, and the insect community dynamics would be bridged to the cash crops in the subsequent season. In addition, we hypothesized that cash crops would suffer lower herbivory damage following specific cover crop treatments. Our design comprised of three cover crops. Our results indicate that cover crops support beneficial insects during the early summer season, while the time of growing season doesnot affect herbivore abundance. Crop-specific effects were found for herbivore abundance with possible cascading effects on insect community as well as damage levels on the subsequent cash crop, but without any impact on the growth traits of the cash crop. Together, our data suggest that cover crops, when carefully selected, can be an integral part of a pest management strategy for sustainable agriculture.

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The hidden land use cost of upscaling cover crops

10.1101/2020.02.13.947994 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bryan Runck ◽

Colin K. Khoury ◽

Patrick M. Ewing ◽

Michael Kantar

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Production ◽

The United States ◽

Maize Production ◽

Cover Cropping ◽

Current Production ◽

Production Area ◽

Annual Amount

AbstractCover cropping is considered a cornerstone practice in sustainable agriculture; however, little attention has been paid to the cover crop production supply chain. In this Perspective, we estimate land use requirements to supply the United States maize production area with cover crop seed, finding that across 18 cover crops, on average 3.8% (median 2.0%) of current production area would be required, with the popular cover crops rye and hairy vetch requiring as much as 4.5% and 11.9%, respectively. The latter land requirement is comparable to the annual amount of maize grain lost to disease in the U.S. We highlight avenues for reducing these high land use costs.

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Limitations and Possibilities for Some Conservation Tillage Systems with Vegetable Crops in the Southern Plains of the United States

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.9.3.359 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 359-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Warren Roberts ◽

James Shrefler ◽

James Duthie ◽

Jonathan Edelson ◽

Bob Cartwright ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Citrullus Lanatus ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Bare Soil ◽

The United States ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Southern Plains

We conducted several experiments to determine the best system for production of spring cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group) with conservation tillage (CT) in the southern plains of the United States. Rye (Secale cereale L.) was selected as the best cover crop to cover the soil in a short time. Raised beds were formed in the fall and planted with rye. With most studies, the rye was allowed to remain on the soil surface rather than being tilled into the soil. Planting densities, rates of nitrogen fertilizer, and herbicide materials were evaluated to determine the best system for cabbage production. In each study, various cover crop practices were compared with bare soil production systems. Soil erosion was reduced by the use of rye cover crops. Cabbage was produced in the CT system, but cabbage yields were higher in bare soil plots than in the rye-covered plots. We are also in the process of developing a system of CT that involves permanent bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]. This system allows both crops to be grown simultaneously on the same land.

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Integration of sheep grazing for cover crop termination into market gardens: Agronomic consequences of an ecologically based management strategy

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170516000326 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 389-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sean C. McKenzie ◽

Hayes B. Goosey ◽

Kevin M. O'Neill ◽

Fabian D. Menalled

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Chemistry ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Sheep Grazing ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Cash Crop ◽

Cash Crops ◽

Species Cover

AbstractCover crops are suites of non-marketable plants grown to improve soil tilth and reduce erosion. Despite these agronomic benefits, the use of cover crops is often limited because they do not provide a direct source of revenue for producers. Integrating livestock to graze cover crops could provide both an expeditious method for cover crop termination and an alternative source of revenue. However, there has been little research on the agronomic impacts of grazing for cover crop termination, especially in horticultural market-gardens. We conducted a 3-year study comparing the effects of sheep grazing to terminate a four species cover crop (buckwheat, sweetclover, peas and beets) with those of mowing on soil quality indicators, cover crop termination efficacy, and subsequent cash-crop yields. In addition, we tested the nutritional quality of the cover crop as forage. Compared with mowing, sheep grazing did not affect soil chemistry, temperature or moisture. Our study demonstrates that sheep grazing removed more cover crop biomass than mowing at termination. The assessment of nutritional indices suggests that the four-species cover crop mixture could provide high-quality forage with a potential value of US$144.00–481.80 ha−1of direct revenue as a grazing lease. Cash-crop yields did not differ between previously grazed and previously mowed plots in the subsequent growing season. We conclude that integrating sheep grazing into market vegetable garden operations could make cover crops more economically viable without having adverse effects on subsequent cash crops.

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