Economics

Cover crops are a great idea, but many farmers want to know how cover crops are paying off and how they will fit into their crop production budget. This topic shares the results of research studies and economic information provided by growers and other ag stakeholders to give cover crop users a better understanding of the costs of establishment and the benefits to expect, including soil biology, nutrient and pest and disease management benefits.

ARTICLES

Cover Crops & No-Till Reduce Crop Insurance Claims According to New Study

The extremely wet spring of 2019 caused 14.2 million acres of cropland to go unplanted in the Midwest. Farmers across the region had flooded fields that kept them from getting equipment onto the fields to plant their crops. This resulted in over $4 billion of prevent-plant crop insurance claims, which assists farmers when weather conditions keep them from planting a crop altogether.
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New OpTIS Data from Satellite Imagery Show 2.5x Rise in Corn Belt Cover Crops

Corn Belt cover crop acres climbed from 2.8 million to 7.5 million between 2015 and 2021
A new tranche of data from the Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) tracked a 250% climb in cover crop acreage—from 2.8 million acres in 2015 to 7.5 million acres in 2021—led by row crop farmers in the southern portion of the region. The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), which hosts free access to OpTIS data on its ctic.org website, dubbed this week's release "OpTIS 3.0."
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Can Cover Crops Lower Your Herbicide Costs in Corn?

Cover crops have many benefits, including suppressing weed emergence and growth. Planting soybeans in a standing cover crop and then terminating the cover crop stymies weeds without harming yield. Corn, however, is a bit trickier. Competition from the cover crop can reduce corn yield. In addition, failure to kill the cover crop in a timely manner and improper nitrogen management will result in fewer bushels.


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Midwest Cover Crop Planting at an All-Time High, Study Shows

The notable increase in cover crop adoption comes alongside increasing state and federal incentive programs, a statistically significant driver, according to the study.

Cover crops, with their ability to reduce erosion and promote soil health, are being planted across more Midwestern land than ever. In recent years, this strategy has become a valuable trend with the added benefit of increasing crop productivity. So, it’s no surprise that new University of Illinois research shows cover crop adoption reached 7.2 percent in 2021, up from just 1.8 percent a decade prior.


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EVENTS

Live

2023 National Strip-Tillage Conference

8/3/23 7:00 am to 8/4/23 11:59 pm CST
Bloomington-Normal Marriott & Conference Center
201 Broadway St
Normal, IL
United States

Discover 2-days of cutting-edge ideas, techniques and strategies in Bloomington-Normal, IL, August 3-4, 2023. Join the most innovative, forward-thinking minds in strip-till to raise your level of strip-till profitability, efficiency and efficacy.

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Live

2024 National No-Tillage Conference

1/9/24 8:00 am to 1/12/24 12:00 pm EST
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 W Maryland St
Indianapolis, IN
United States
For more than a quarter of a century, the National No-Tillage Conference has been providing the practical tips and information you need to run a more successful no-till operation. In our 32nd year, we’re ready to do it again as our event takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, January 9-12, 2024! Read More
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The National Strip-Tillage Conference returns August 3-4, 2023! Build and refine your strip-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 10th anniversary National Strip-Tillage Conference in Bloomington, Ill., Aug. 3-4, 2023. Experience an energizing 2-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led Strip-Till Classrooms and collaborative Strip-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.

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