Economics - Articles

Keep Covers in Your Rotation Without Breaking the Bank

No-tillers can reduce the cost of their cover-crop program and still keep most of the benefits by closely examining their seeding rates and methods and potentially trimming back mixes.

By Martha Mintz posted on April 17, 2015 | Posted in Economics

With corn prices looking a little more bear than bull these days, many no-tillers may be looking for places to trim their input costs. Fair or unfair, the newest management darling of no-tillers — cover crops — may find themselves in the crosshairs.

NRCS Launches Cover Crop Costs Tool

March 5, 2015 | Posted in Economics, Soil Health

The Cover Crop Economic Decision Support Tool helps growers, landowners and others make informed decisions when considering whether to use cover crops.

Results of Cover Crop Survey Detail Yield Boosts, Soil Benefits

November 18, 2014 | Posted in Economics, Soil Health

Source: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

For the second year, a national survey of farmers has documented a yield boost from the use of cover crops in corn and soybeans, as well as a wide variety of other benefits.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling

Breaking Through The Plow Pan, Taking No-Till To New Heights

Ralph Upton Jr. didn’t know how his early gamble on no-till and cover crops would pay off, but he’s reaping the rewards for his sustainable investment.

By Martha Mintz and Ralph Upton posted on June 1, 2014 | Posted in Economics

If we're talking cover crops, I could keep a person up all night. Cover crops are truly amazing in what they can accomplish, and the number of different hats they can wear on the farm.

Cover Crops Vs. Tile: Which Is the Best?

In the spring, cover crops might serve as a less-expensive alternative to tile systems for drying out fields. But tile has its own perks, and the two systems may be best working together.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Economics

With crop prices and farm incomes at record levels, many no-tillers have been pouring substantial sums of money into improving drainage.