Cover Crop Benchmark Study

3rd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study

Reducing Erosion, Improving Water Infiltration Push Cover Crop Adoption

Exclusive survey reveals cover cropping trends through 2022, including increasing acreage planted to covers, the top benefits farmers gain from covers and multiple methods for seeding them.

By Noah Newman posted on July 12, 2022 | Posted in Economics

Farmers across the nation participated in the 3rd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study published by Cover Crop Strategies. The comprehensive survey featured 48 questions about topics including management practices, motivations and expenses in 2021 and plans for 2022.

Key Takeaways From 3rd Annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study

Cover Crop Strategies’ exclusive survey reveals more farmers are planting green.

By Noah Newman posted on May 31, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Economics

Farmers from 30 different states participated in the 3rd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study. The comprehensive survey featured 48 questions about several topics including management practices, motivations, challenges and expenses in 2021 and plans for 2022. Here are 5 key takeaways.

Purdue Ag Economy Barometer Finds That Most Growers Still New to Using Cover Crops

Out of 400 large-acreage growers surveyed, 41% are currently seeding covers on their operations.

By Sarah Hill posted on October 7, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

The practice of using cover crops still has plenty of room for growth, according to the results of the August Purdue Ag Economy Barometer. Forty-one percent of growers with production of more than $500,000 annually said they are currently using cover crops, while 65% of growers responded that they had either used cover crops in the past or were currently using covers.

One-Third of Growers Use Cover Crops for Grazing, According to Annual Study

Fifty-seven percent of growers who graze livestock on cover crops graze less than 300 acres.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 15, 2021

Using cover crops as livestock feed can provide additional synergy to growing cover crops while providing additional soil health benefits and an extra income stream.

Study: Improving Soil Biology Highest Priority for Growers Using Covers

Reducing soil erosion and increasing soil organic matter rounded out the top 3 reasons why growers choose to use cover crops.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 11, 2021

Farmers ask a lot of the soil. But they’re also seeking to take care of the soil, according to the results of Cover Crop Strategies’ 2021 Cover Crop Benchmark Study.

Most Cover Crops Seeded in Fall, Winter

The second annual Cover Crop Strategies Cover Crop Benchmark Study also found that drilling and broadcasting are the two most common cover crop seeding methods.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 8, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices

With so much to be done during fall harvest time and over the winter, 85% of growers are also seeding cover crops during this time frame. That is what the results of the second annual Cover Crop Strategies Cover Crop Benchmark Study found to be the case.

Soil Health Benefits Top Reason Growers Planting Cover Crops

Results from the 2nd annual Cover Crop Strategies Benchmark Study show most growers aren’t paid for plant covers but still want to improve soil health.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 7, 2021

More and more governments and organizations are offering incentives to growers to offset costs of planting cover crops. But over half of growers don’t receive incentive payments, according to results from Cover Crop Strategies’ 2nd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study.

Seeding the Promise & Potential of Cover Crop Adoption

The second-annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study found that most growers have only used covers for less than 5 years, though average acres covered are up year-over-year.

By Sarah Hill posted on May 18, 2021 | Posted in Economics

More and more growers are seizing the numerous benefits that cover crops can provide. Growers are also finding additional ways to make cover crops put more money in their pockets. The results of the second annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study support both statements.

Cover Crop Strategies Survey Data Shows Potential Negative Impact of NRCS Rule Change

April 30, 2021 | Posted in Termination

Data from the 2nd annual Cover Crop Benchmark Study — compiled and organized by Cover Crop Strategies — shows a proposed rule change to NRCS conservation technical standards relating to cover crops could have a very negative affect on farmers and ranchers.

Comparing Cover Crop Research Results: 3 Takeaways

By Sarah Hill posted on September 3, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cover crop experience, seeding covers with cash crops and termination methods are areas where farmers share both similarities and differences according to two recent reports.