Along with providing environmental gains, Iowa farmers are discovering that cover crops have the potential to offer significant economic contributions. Cover crops can improve soil health to add yield potential, and they can reduce input costs while providing additional income opportunities for some farmers, according to speakers at a field day last week in Emmetsburg sponsored by ethanol maker Poet.

"Cover crops are really a simple and effective solution for water quality issues, and they can help farmers too," said Kevin Coffman, Monsanto’s lead in market development for bioenergy and renewables.

Farmers who plant cover crops every year are realizing yield gains that more...