Hostname: page-component-7b9c58cd5d-wdhn8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-03-15T07:48:43.234Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A review of economic considerations for cover crops as a conservation practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2017

Jason S. Bergtold ,
Steven Ramsey ,
Lucas Maddy  and
Jeffery R. Williams
Jason S. Bergtold*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
Steven Ramsey
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
Lucas Maddy
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
Jeffery R. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: bergtold@ksu.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Over the past few decades, farmers have increasingly integrated cover crops into their cropping systems. Cover-crop benefits can help a farmer to achieve sustainability or reduce negative environmental externalities, such as soil erosion or chemical runoff. However, the impact on farm economics will likely be the strongest incentive to adopt cover crops. These impacts can include farm profits, cash crop yields or both. This paper provides a review of cover-crop adoption, production, risk and policy considerations from an economic perspective. These dimensions are examined through a review of cover-crop literature. This review was written to provide an overview of cover crops and their impacts on the farm business and the environment, especially with regard to economic considerations. Through increasing knowledge about cover crops, the intent here is to inform producers contemplating adoption and policy makers seeking to encourage adoption.

Keywords

adoptionsoil conservationcostscover cropseconomicsrisk
Type
Review Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 62 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anand, M. 2010. Essays on the profitability of winter farming practices. Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, Auburn University.Google Scholar
Arbuckle, J.G. and Roesch-McNally, G. 2015. Cover crop adoption in Iowa: The role of perceived practice characteristics. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 70(6):418–429.Google Scholar
Ashford, D. and Reeves, D.W. 2003. Use of mechanical roller-crimper as an alternative kill method for cover crops. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 18(1):37–45.Google Scholar
Beaton, A.J., Dhuyvetter, K.C., Kastens, T.L., and Williams, J.R. 2005. Per unit costs to own and operate farm machinery. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 37(1):131–144.Google Scholar
Bergtold, J.S., Anand, M., and Molnar, J. 2007. Joint adoption of conservation agricultural practices by row crop producers in Alabama. In Proceedings of the 29th Annual Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference, Quincy, FL, 25–27 June 2007.Google Scholar
Bergtold, J.S., Duffy, P.A., Hite, D., and Raper, R.L. 2012. Demographic and management factors affecting the adoption and perceived yield benefit of winter cover crops in the Southeast. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 44(1):1–18.Google Scholar
Bergtold, J.S. and Goodman, B. 2007. The economics of conservation tillage. Working Paper. National Soils Dynamics Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.Google Scholar
Bergtold, J.S., Terra, J.A., Reeves, D.W., Shaw, J.N., Balkcom, K.S., and Raper, R.L. 2005. Profitability and risk associated with alternative mixtures of high-residue cover crops. In Paper Presented at Southern Agriculture Economics Association Annual Meeting, Little Rock, AR, 5–9 February.Google Scholar
Bezkorowajnyj, P.G., Gordon, A.M., and McBride, R.A. 1993. The effect of cattle foot traffic on soil compaction in a silvo-pastoral system. Agroforestry Systems 21:1–10.Google Scholar
Biederbeck, V.O. and Bourman, O.T. 1994. Water use by annual green manure legumes in dryland cropping systems. Agronomy Journal 86:543–549.Google Scholar
Biederbeck, V.O., Bouman, O.T., Looman, J., Slinkard, A.E., Bailey, L.D., Rice, W.A., and Janzen, H.H. 1993. Productivity of four annual legumes as green manure in dryland cropping systems. Agronomy Journal 85:1035–1043.Google Scholar
Blanco-Canqui, H., Claassen, M.M., and Presley, D.R. 2012. Summer cover crops fix nitrogen, increase crop yield, and improve soil–crop relationships. Agronomy Journal 104(1):137–147.Google Scholar
Bonner, I.J., Muth, D.J. Jr, and Koch, J.B. 2014. Modeled impacts of cover crops and vegetative barriers on corn stover availability and soil quality. Bioenergy Research 7(2):576–589.Google Scholar
Bouldin, D.R. 1988. Effects of green manure on soil organic matter content and nitrogen availability. In Sustainable Agriculture Green Manure in Rice Farming. International Rice Research Institute, Philippines.Google Scholar
Chavas, J.P. 2004. Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice. Academic Press, London, UK.Google Scholar
Colombo, S., Hanley, N., and Calatrava-Requena, J. 2005. Designing policy for reducing the off-farm effects of soil erosion using choice experiments. Journal of Agricultural Economics 56(1):81–95.Google Scholar
Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education (SARE). 2013. 2012-2013 cover crop survey: June 2013 survey analysis. Available at: http://www.ctic.org/media/pdf/Cover%20Crops/SARE-CTIC%20Cover%20Crop%20Survey%202013.pdf.Google Scholar
Curran, B. and Lingenfelter, D. 2017. Herbicide Persistence and Rotation to Cover Crops. PennState Extension. Available at Web site http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops/soil-management/cover-crops/herbicide-persistence (verified 20 April 2017).Google Scholar
Dabney, S., Delgado, J., and Reeves, D. 2001. Using winter cover crops to improve soil and water quality. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 32(7, 8):1221–1250.Google Scholar
Derpsch, R. 2008. No-tillage and conservation agriculture: A progress report. In Goddard, T., Zoebisch, M.A., Gan, Y.T.,Eilli, W., Watson, A. and S. Sombatpanit (eds). No-Till Farming Systems. Special Publication No. 3. World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, Bangkok. p. 7–39.Google Scholar
Dhuyvetter, K.C. 2014. 2014 projected custom rates for Kansas. Kansas State Department of Agricultural Economics. Publication Number AM-KCD-2014.02.01. Available at website http://www.agmanager.info.Google Scholar
Duiker, S.W. and Curran, W.S. 2005 Rye cover crop management for corn production in the northern Mid-Atlantic region. Agronomy Journal 97(5):1413–1418.Google Scholar
Dunn, M., Ulrich-Schad, J.D., Prokopy, L.S., Myers, R.L., Watts, C.R., and Scanlon, K. 2016. Perceptions and use of cover crops among early adopters: Findings from a national survey. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 71:29–40.Google Scholar
Goddard, T., Zoebisch, M., Gan, Y., Ellis, W., Watson, A., and Sombatpanit, S. 2008. No-till Farming Systems. Special Publication No. 3, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, Bangkok, ISBN: 978-974-8391-60-1. p. 544. Funny Publishing.Google Scholar
Hagny, M. 2008. New frontiers. Leading Edge: The Journal of No-Till Agriculture 7:417–421.Google Scholar
Ingels, C. and Klonsky, K. 1998. Historical and current uses. In Ingels, C.A., Bugg, R.L., McGourty, G.T. and Christensen, L.P. (eds). Cover Cropping in Vineyards: A Grower's Handbook. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3338, Oakland, CA. p. 3–7.Google Scholar
Janke, R., Claassen, M., Heer, W., Jost, J., Freyenerger, S., and Norman, D. 2002. The use of winter annual legume cover crops in a wheat-grain sorghum rotation in south central Kansas. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 20(2):69–88.Google Scholar
Jhala, A., Redfearn, D., Anderson, B., Drewnoski, M., and Proctor, C. 2016. Herbicide options for planting forage cover crops after corn and soybean. Cropwatch, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Available at Web site http://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/herbicide-options-planting-forage-cover-crops-after-corn-and-soybean (verified 20 April 2017).Google Scholar
Johnson, G. and Raun, W. 2003. Nitrogen response index as a guide to fertilizer management. Journal of Plant Nutrition 26(2):249–262.Google Scholar
Kell, W. and McKee, R. 1936. Farmer's Bulletin no. 1758: Cover Crops for Soil Conservation. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Kornecki, T.S., Price, A.J., and Raper, R.L. 2006. Performance of different roller designs in terminating rye cover crop and reducing vibration. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 22:633–641.Google Scholar
Larson, J., Roberts, R., Jaenicke, E., and Tyler, D. 2001. Profit-maximizing nitrogen fertilization rates for alternative tillage and winter cover systems. Journal of Cotton Science 5:156–168.Google Scholar
Larson, J., Roberts, R., Tyler, D., Duck, B., and Slinksy, S. 1998. Nitrogen-fixing winter cover crops and production risk: A case study for no-tillage corn. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 30:163–174.Google Scholar
Lichtenberg, E. 2004. Cost-responsiveness of conservation practice adoption: A revealed preference approach. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 29(3):420–435.Google Scholar
Lichtenberg, E., Hanson, J.C., Decker, A.M., and Clark, A.J. 1994. Profitability of legume cover crops in the mid Atlantic region. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 49:582–585.Google Scholar
Liebl, R., Simmons, F.W., Wax, L.M., and Stoller, E.W. 1992. Effect of rye (Secale cereal) mulch on weed control and soil moisture in soybean (Glycine max). Weed Technology 6(4):838–846.Google Scholar
Lu, Y.C., Watkins, K.B., Teasdale, J.R., and Abdul-Baki, A.A. 2000. Cover crops in sustainable food production. Food Reviews International 16(2):121–157.Google Scholar
Mallory, E.B., Posner, J.L., and Baldock, J.O. 1998. Performance, economics, and adoption of cover crops in Wisconsin cash grain rotations: On-farm trials. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 13(1):2–11.Google Scholar
Mannering, J.V., Griffith, D.R., and Johnson, K.D. 2000. Winter Cover Crops—Their Value and Management. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, West Lafayette, IN.Google Scholar
Mansoer, Z., Reeves, D.W., and Wood, C.W. 1997. Suitability of sunn hemp as an alternative late-summer legume cover crop. Soil Science Society of America Journal 61:246–253.Google Scholar
Marshall, E. 2012. Incentives, costs, and implications of wide-spread cover crop adoption in the United States. Prepared for the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association's 2012 AAEA Annual Meeting, August 12–14, 2012, Seattle, WA.Google Scholar
Maryland Department of Agriculture. 2017. Cover Crop Program. Available at: http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/cover_crop.aspx.Google Scholar
McDonald, P., Singer, J., and Wiedenhoeft, M. 2008. Self-seeded cereal cover crop effects on interspecific competition with corn. Agronomy Journal 100:440–446.Google Scholar
Mississippi State University. 2007. Cotton 2008 planning budgets. Online. Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University. Budget Report 2007-01.Google Scholar
Moonen, A. and Barberi, P. 2004. Size and composition of the weed seedbank after 7 years of different cover-crop-maize management systems. Weed Research 44(3):163–177.Google Scholar
Morton, T.A., Bergtold, J.S., and Price, A.J. 2006. The economics of cover crop biomass for corn and cotton. In Proceedings of the 28thAnnual Southern Conservation Tillage Systems Conference, Bushland, TX, June 26–28, 2006. http://www.ag.auburn.edu/auxiliary/nsdl/scasc/Proceedings/2006/proc2006.html.Google Scholar
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA. 2016. Quick Stats. https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/.Google Scholar
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA. 2002. Nutrient Management. Natural Resource Conservation Service Construction Specifications. S-590. Available at Web site http://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/documents/nutrient-management/kansas-nutrient-management-specifications.pdf.pdf.Google Scholar
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA. 2014. NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1263099.pdf.Google Scholar
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA. 2015. Kansas Payment Schedule—Fiscal Year 2015. Fiscal Year 2015 Kansas EQIP. Available at Web site http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ks/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd427719Google Scholar
Nielsen, D.C., Lyon, D.J., Hergert, G.W., Higgins, R.K., Calderón, F.J., and Vigil, M.F. 2015. Cover crop mixtures do not use water differently than single-species plantings. Agronomy Journal 107(3):1025.Google Scholar
Nielsen, D.C., Lyon, D.J., Higgins, R.K., Hergert, G.W., Holman, J.D., and Vigil, M.F. 2016. Cover crop effect on subsequent wheat yield in the central Great Plains. Agronomy Journal 108(1):243–256.Google Scholar
Nielsen, D.C. and Vigil, M.F. 2005. Legume green fallow effect on soil water content at wheat planting and wheat yield. Agronomy Journal 97(3):684.Google Scholar
O'Connor, C. 2013. Soil matters: How the Federal Crop Insurance Program should be reformed to encourage low-risk farming methods with high-reward environmental outcomes. In 2013 AAEA: Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill Symposium, 8–9 October, Louisville, KY. No. 156789. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.Google Scholar
Pannell, D.J. 1999a. Social and economic challenges in the development of complex farming systems. Agroforestry Systems 45:393–409.Google Scholar
Pannell, D.J. 1999b. Economics, extension, and the adoption of land conservation innovations in agriculture. International Journal of Social Economics 26:999–1006.Google Scholar
Power, J.F., Doran, J.W., and Koerner, P.T. 1991. Hairy vetch as a winter cover crop for dryland corn production. Journal of Production Agriculture 4(1):462–467.Google Scholar
Pratt, M.R., Tyner, W.E., Muth, D.J. Jr, and Kladivko, E.J. 2014. Synergies between cover crops and corn stover removal. Agricultural Systems 130:67–76.Google Scholar
Ramirez, M.J.G., King, C.L., and Arbuckle, J.G. Jr 2015. Cost-share effectiveness in the adoption of cover crops in Iowa. In Selected Paper, AAEA WAEA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 26–28 July.Google Scholar
Raper, R.L. and Kirby, J.M. 2006. Soil compaction: How to do it, undo it and avoid doing it. ASABE Distinguished Lecture Series 30:1–14.Google Scholar
Reddy, K. 2003. Impact of rye cover crop and herbicides on weeds, yield, and net return in narrow-row transgenic and conventional soybean. Weed Technology 17(1):28–35.Google Scholar
Reeder, R. 2002. Maximizing performance in conservation tillage systems—an overview. In Paper presented at American Society of Agriculture Engineers Annual International Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. 28–31 July.Google Scholar
Reeves, D.W. 1994. Cover crops and rotations. In Hartfield, J.L. and Stewart, B.A. (eds) Advances in Soil Science: Crop Residue Management. Lewis Publishers, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, FL. p. 125–172.Google Scholar
Reimer, A.P., Weinkauf, D.K., and Prokpy, L.S. 2012. The influence of perceptions of practice characteristics: An examination of agricultural best management practice adoption in two Indiana watersheds. Journal of Rural Studies 28:118–128.Google Scholar
Risk Management Agency (RMA), USDA 2015. Summary of Business Reports and Data—National Summary by State. Available at website http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/sob.html.Google Scholar
Risk Management Agency (RMA), USDA 2016. Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Commodity Year Statistics for 2014. As of: May 23, 2016. Nationwide Summary—By State. Available at Web site http://www.rma.usda.gov/data/sob.html.Google Scholar
Roberts, R.K., Larson, J.A., Tyler, D.D., Duck, B.N., and Dillivan, K.D. 1998. Economic analysis of the effects of winter cover crops on no-tillage corn yield response to applied nitrogen. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 53(3):280–285.Google Scholar
Robinson, C. and Nielsen, D. 2015. The water conundrum of planting cover crops in the Great Plains: When is an inch not an inch? Crops and Soils 48(1):24–31.Google Scholar
Sainju, U. and Singh, B. 2001. Tillage, cover crop, and kill-planting date effects on corn yield and soil nitrogen. Agronomy Journal 93:878–886.Google Scholar
Schipanski, M.E., Barbercheck, M., Douglas, M.R., Finney, D.M., Haider, K., Kaye, J.P., Kemanian, A.R., Mortensen, D.A., Ryan, M.R., Tooker, J., and White, C. 2014. A framework for evaluating ecosystem services provided by cover crops in agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems 125:12–22.Google Scholar
Schlegel, A. and Havlin, J.L. 1997. Green fallow for the central plains. Agronomy Journal 89:762–767.Google Scholar
Singer, J. and Kaspar, T. 2006. Cover crop Selection and Management for Midwest Farming Systems. University Extension, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
Singer, J. and Meek, D. 2004. Repeated biomass removal affects soybean resource utilization and yield. Agronomy Journal 96:1382–1389.Google Scholar
Singer, J.W., Kohler, K.A., and McDonald, P.B. 2007a. Self-seeding winter cereal cover crops in soybean. Agronomy Journal 99:73–79.Google Scholar
Singer, J.W., Nusser, S.M., and Alf, C.J. 2007b. Are cover crops being used in the U.S. corn belt? Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 62(5):353–358.Google Scholar
Snapp, S.S., Swinton, S.M., Labarta, R., Mutch, D., Black, J.R., Leep, R., Nyiraneza, J., and O'Neil, K. 2005. Evaluating cover crops for benefits, costs and performance within cropping system niches. Agronomy Journal 97:322–332.Google Scholar
Sullivan, P. 2003. Overview of cover crops and green manures. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas. Available at Web site http://www.attra.ncat.org.Google Scholar
Sustainable Agriculture Network 1998. Managing Cover Crop Profitability. 2nd ed. Handbook Series Book 3. Sustainable Agriculture Productions, Berlington, VT.Google Scholar
Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education. 2013. Managing cover crops profitably: Third edition. Available at website http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Managing-Cover-Crops-Profitably-3rd-Edition.Google Scholar
Sweeney, D. and Moyer, J. 1994. Legume green manures and conservation tillage for grain sorghum production on prairie soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 58:1518–1524.Google Scholar
Teasdale, J. and Mohler, C. 2000. The quantitative relationship between weed emergence and the physical properties of mulches. Weed Science 48:385–392.Google Scholar
Twete, D., Habets, S., Stock, G., Smith, R., Thiessen, E., and Wells, E. 2008. 2007 Rates Paid by Kansas Farmers for Custom Work. Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Agriculture Statistics Service, Topeka, KS.Google Scholar
Uri, N. 2001. The environmental implications of soil erosion in the United States. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 66:293–312.Google Scholar
U.S. Congress, House of Representatives. 2007. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Title II - Energy Security Through Increased Production of Biofuels; Subtitle A - Renewable Fuel Standard. U.S. Government Printing Office.Google Scholar
Wade, T., Claassen, R., and Wallander, S. 2015. Conservation practice adoption rates vary widely by crop and region, EIB-147, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, December 2015.Google Scholar
Watson, S. 1999. Kansas No-till Handbook. Dept. Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.Google Scholar