The Benefits of cover crops
“It’s a Good Idea to Use Cover Crops on Your Farm”
I am sure you have heard many times that it is a good idea to use cover crops on your farm. We want to explain why it is a good idea and also give you some resources from accredited researchers and farmers on how to plant your cash crop into your cover crop. Additionally, we will give you information on how to apply for cost share contracts with NRCS for help getting started with cover crops and other sustainable practices.
What is a cover crop?
A cover crop is typically a non cash crop grown between seasons in order to enrich the soil with the goal of improving yield and quality of the crops. The primary types of cover crops consist of grasses, green plants, and legumes such as beans and crimson clover. Grasses are used to conserve nutrients and stabilize the soil, while legumes are used to redirect nitrogen from the atmosphere and supply it to the surrounding soil for other crops to use. There’s a reason why cover crops are called “green manure”. Cover crops improve the health of the soil by adding organic matter, reducing erosion, and enhancing water infiltration. They can also suppress pests and weeds.
Erosion Reduction
Although cover crops hold multiple functions, perhaps what they are best known for is preventing soil erosion. The crops work to hold soil in place, helping to prevent any soil erosion due to wind. In addition they provide a ground cover that reduces the impact of rain on the soil, therefore reducing runoff. An article written on The Spruce describes cover crops as being called “living mulches”. It explains, “a mulch is a layer of organic material, such as crop residue, that is left on the surface of the soil to prevent water runoff and protect the soil from the damaging effects of heavy rainfall (The Spruce).
Trellis wireless soil moisture sensor being used to monitor a cover crop.
Water Infiltration
Each root of a cover crop produces pores in the soil, allowing for water to filter deeper into the ground, and increasing infiltration rates. Cover crops release excessive amounts of water through evapotranspiration. The cover crops mulch-like effect increases water infiltration and helps to conserve moisture in the soil during dry periods. Earthworms which thrive in most cover crops improve water infiltration and conversion of plant debris with their activities moving through the soil. Cover crops allow for residue to remain on the surface where earthworms prefer to feed, supporting earthworm populations. Conserving moisture helps to improve overall soil health. Improved water infiltration helps the use of water be more efficient, generating more stable crop yields.
Weed & Pest Control
Depending on proper placement and timing of cover crops, they can alleviate infestations of weeds and pests. Furthermore, cover crops by reducing weeds and insects, sequentially reduces the need for Ag chemicals. Because cover crop mulches block sunlight, which is needed for the growth of seeds, weeds are suppressed. Flowering cover crops attract beneficial insects while cover crop mulches suppress weeds and reduce soil pathogens. Due to cover crop systems helping to minimize pests, costs for pesticide use, and chemical exposure on crops decrease.
Biodiversity
Although cover crops are typically a non-income-producing crop, they contribute long-term benefits such as biodiversity. Additional diversity helps farms, whether the diversity be contributed in space, across scales, or across time. Cover crops not only enhance the nutrient uptake of other plants, but also release carbon and nitrogen improving soil health and increasing plant diversity. An article written on the Moses website explains how cover crops support biodiversity by protecting water and other downstream ecosystems by holding nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the fields (Moses).
Terminating Cover Crop
Timing and weather are extremely important in spring termination of a cover crop. Correctly timed termination can help decrease any negative effects such as excess residue holding too much moisture in wet seasons, or living cover crops using too much moisture in dry seasons.
How to plant into cover crops
Four farmers share their cover crop secrets on planting into cover crops (Video Right).
Cost Share
The NRCS offers cost share opportunities and technical assistance in many states for growers who want to get started with cover crops. Talk with your local NRCS office to learn what is available in your area. The link below has the breakdown for cost share opportunities in each state.