News Release

Apr. 22, 2019 – Farmers are increasingly turning to cover crops as an investment in their soil. The Apr. 22 Sustainable, Secure Food blog explains the benefits of these non-cash crops.

Cover crops are typically planted after harvesting a crop grown for market. “Cover crops are not grown for their cash value. They are planted primarily to improve or maintain ecosystem quality,” writes Matt Yost, an Extension specialist at Utah State University. This includes preventing the loss of valuable topsoil and soil nutrients, improving soil quality, suppressing weeds, and attracting beneficial insects.

Cover crop options can be classified into three categories:

1. Legumes such as clover, pea, and bean species add nitrogen to the soil.
2. Brassicas such as mustards and radish species have deep root systems that reduce soil compaction.
3. Non-legumes such as oat, barley, rye, wheat, and millet species are economical and grow fast. They hold nutrients and protect soil from erosion.

However, Yost adds, “The benefits of cover crops come at a cost. Farmers may spend anywhere from $10 to $40 an acre to grow cover crops. This isn’t a trivial amount! Despite the added cost, many farmers are realizing benefits and improved cash crop returns within five years of use. They consider cover crops a long-term investment for their enterprise.”

To read the complete blog, visit Sustainable, Secure Food at https://sustainable-secure-food-blog.com/2019/04/22/what-are-cover-crops

This blog is sponsored and written by members of the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America. Our members are researchers and trained, certified professionals in the areas of growing our world’s food supply, while protecting our environment. They work at universities, government research facilities, and private businesses across the United States and the world.