Navigating the carbon markets and the risk/rewards of signing a contract to sell carbon credits for on-farm conservation practices is top of mind for many Iowa farmers.

While some farmers are saying costs and other requirements currently outweigh the payment benefits offered (typically up to $30 per ton), others who have engaged in conservation practices such as cover crops or no-till have been able to secure as much as a $25-per-ton profit selling their carbon conservation efforts.

Tim Christensen, Iowa State University (ISU) farm management...