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Cover Crops on Livestock Operations: Potential for Expansion in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Bowman, Maria
  • Afi, Maroua
  • Beenken, Aubree
  • Boline, Amy
  • Drewnoski, Mary
  • Krupek, Fernanda Souza
  • Parsons, Jay
  • Redfearn, Daren
  • Wallander, Steven
  • Whitt, Christine

Abstract

Cover crops can provide environmental benefits, and their use is increasing across the United States. Cover crops can also be costly to implement. The literature suggests that for livestock operations, grazing or harvesting cover crops for forage can be profitable due to the forage benefit. However, a new analysis of Federal data shows that around 14 percent of cattle operations with cropland grew cover crops in 2017. Certain types of cattle operations are more likely to report cover crop use. Dairy and feedlot operations are more than twice as likely to use cover crops as cattle operations overall (33 percent of dairy and 27 percent of feedlot operations), and many operations with cover crops report grazing them or harvesting them for forage. In 2021, 72 percent of dairy operations and 89 percent of cow-calf operations with cover crops reported harvesting or grazing at least some cover crop acreage, which suggests the forage value of cover crops may be a driver of adoption on those operations. Finally, this report discusses the potential for integrating cover crops and livestock systems in the United States (as well as barriers) and presents several research opportunities that could address knowledge gaps.

Suggested Citation

  • Bowman, Maria & Afi, Maroua & Beenken, Aubree & Boline, Amy & Drewnoski, Mary & Krupek, Fernanda Souza & Parsons, Jay & Redfearn, Daren & Wallander, Steven & Whitt, Christine, 2024. "Cover Crops on Livestock Operations: Potential for Expansion in the United States," Administrative Publications 342471, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersap:342471
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.342471
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Agricultural and Food Policy; Crop Production/Industries; Land Economics/Use; Livestock Production/Industries; Production Economics; Resource /Energy Economics and Policy;
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