Making cover crops work in tough times
Author
Published
10/20/2025
With row crop profit margins dwindling or falling into negative territory, do cover crops still make sense? Experts say they can, especially with numerous cost-share programs available to help reduce expenses.
One of the fastest ways to achieve a return on cover crops is to integrate them into a livestock grazing system. A new study from North Dakota State University shows cover crops significantly reduce winter feeding costs, even in extreme northern climates. Overwintering cover crops also can be harvested for hay or silage in the spring.
Even in a strictly row crop scenario, cover crops can help pay for themselves by scavenging residual nutrients, controlling weeds and protecting against weather extremes. Adding in legume cover crops like hairy vetch or clovers can fix atmospheric nitrogen, possibly reducing the amount of additional fertilizer needed.
For many farmers that I’ve interviewed over the years, cover crops are more than a one-year decision. Long term, they can build soil health, improve soil organic matter and feed many types of soil organisms.
Whether you’re an experienced cover cropper or interested in trying them for the first time, there are several field days coming up later this month and in early November where Iowa farmers will share their experiences with cover crops. You can find the list of field days at www.conservationcountsiowa.com and click on the Farmers in Action tab.
If you’re looking for cost-share help, the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance has an online tool comparing the details of public and private programs for cover crops, no-till and reduced tillage at www.costsharecompare.com.
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