Cover Crops Public Investments Could Produce Big Payoffs

The document outlines the environmental and economic benefits of cover crops, such as reducing nitrate leaching by 40 to 70 percent and increasing soil fertility. It identifies significant barriers to adoption, including direct costs (ranging from $62 to $107 per acre for certain varieties in Kansas) and risks related to crop insurance and land tenure. The Union of Concerned Scientists recommends expanding USDA cost-share incentives through the CSP and EQIP programs, reforming crop insurance, and increasing technical assistance and research.

• Cover crops provide significant environmental benefits by reducing pollution in water bodies and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. They can decrease nitrate leaching into groundwater by 40 to 70 percent compared to bare soil and help prevent the formation of coastal "dead zones" by reducing nitrogen runoff into areas like the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, they limit the creation of nitrous oxide, a gas that traps 300 times more heat than carbon dioxide, and can increase soil carbon storage.
• Farmers can achieve higher long-term productivity and lower expenses through cover crops. Legume cover crops can add 50 to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre annually, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. They also limit weed growth and pests, reducing pesticide use, and improve soil resilience by increasing water-holding capacity and fertility. Some studies indicate cash crop yield increases of more than 50 percent.
• Despite the benefits, adoption rates remain low due to economic and technical barriers. In the Corn Belt, only 8 percent of farmers used cover crops in the previous year. Key constraints include direct costs for seed and labor, indirect costs such as potential delays in planting cash crops, and the slow return on investment for soil improvements. Land tenure also plays a role, as leasing farmers may be less likely to invest in long-term soil health.
• The cost of implementing cover crops varies by variety; a 2008 study in Kansas found total costs between $62 and $107 per acre. Specifically, Hairy Vetch was the least expensive at $62 per acre, while Crimson Clover was the most expensive at $107 per acre. These costs include seed, planting, fertilizer, and termination.
• Financial incentives and technical support are effective drivers for adoption. In Maryland, an aggressive incentive program resulted in 60 percent of farmers using cover crops. In the Corn Belt, farmers indicated a willingness to adopt the practice if cost-share assistance of $23 per acre were provided.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists recommends specific federal policy changes to accelerate adoption. This includes increasing payments in the USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), eliminating payment caps for organic producers in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and ensuring that federally subsidized crop insurance does not penalize farmers for using cover crops.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (n.d.). Cover Crops Public Investments Could Produce Big Payoffs. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/cover-crop-fact-sheet-2012.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Cover Crops Public Investments Could Produce Big Payoffs. n.d. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/cover-crop-fact-sheet-2012.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Cover Crops Public Investments Could Produce Big Payoffs |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/cover-crop-fact-sheet-2012.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientistsndcover, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Cover Crops Public Investments Could Produce Big Payoffs}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/cover-crop-fact-sheet-2012.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }