Cover crops are crucial for promoting healthy soil
In 2021, only around 7% of Midwest farmers’ land was covered with cover crops, despite the fact that cover crops are crucial for promoting healthy soil, protecting the environment, and halting climate change. Some farmers are cautious about the practice, fearing it could negatively impact their financial line, even though they receive cash and several perks for implementing it. According to a study, cover crops can lower the yields of cash crops, which lowers farmers’ revenue. In addition to stabilizing the soil and possibly adding nutrients, cover crops also store carbon in plant roots and lessen the discharge of fertilizer.
Efforts by the government
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has paid the U.S. Department of Agriculture $44 million for over 4,700 contracts to plant cover crops on over 344,000 hectares in 2023. Additionally, the department provided $100 million in additional benefits through federal crop insurance. The use of cover crops to store carbon is becoming more popular, but how well they work depends on a number of variables, including temperature, plant variety, and soil quality. The Natural Resources Defense Council is pushing Congress to increase financial incentives for cover crops through a social media campaign.
What studies found
The type of cover crop, soil moisture content, and soil quality all contributed to a 3.5% decrease in soybean field yields, according to a study published in Global Change Biology. It was discovered that rye, the most popular cover crop, was especially prone to lowering yields. Using satellite photos, the study looked at agricultural areas in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. According to the study, farmers require greater financial incentives from the federal government or the food sector.
Financial assistance can save farmers from having to decide between losing money or planting cover crops. Professor J. Arbuckle stresses the significance of talking about possible yield drops over longer time frames. Though there are many environmental advantages to cover crops, it can be difficult to persuade farmers to try them.
