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A review of economic considerations for cover crops as a conservation practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2017

Jason S. Bergtold ,
Steven Ramsey ,
Lucas Maddy  and
Jeffery R. Williams
Jason S. Bergtold*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
Steven Ramsey
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
Lucas Maddy
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
Jeffery R. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4011, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: bergtold@ksu.edu
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Abstract

Over the past few decades, farmers have increasingly integrated cover crops into their cropping systems. Cover-crop benefits can help a farmer to achieve sustainability or reduce negative environmental externalities, such as soil erosion or chemical runoff. However, the impact on farm economics will likely be the strongest incentive to adopt cover crops. These impacts can include farm profits, cash crop yields or both. This paper provides a review of cover-crop adoption, production, risk and policy considerations from an economic perspective. These dimensions are examined through a review of cover-crop literature. This review was written to provide an overview of cover crops and their impacts on the farm business and the environment, especially with regard to economic considerations. Through increasing knowledge about cover crops, the intent here is to inform producers contemplating adoption and policy makers seeking to encourage adoption.

Keywords

adoptionsoil conservationcostscover cropseconomicsrisk
Type
Review Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 62 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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