Tyler Harris
LIVESTOCK IN MIX: When livestock are added to the mix, net returns from cover crops before corn and soybeans typically increase. Resilient Ag Landscapes: Cover crop economics work best when grazed by livestock and supported by cost-share.
While the benefits of cover crops for soil health are well-documented, the economic benefits and yield impact on the subsequent cash crop are largely anecdotal and highly variable.
Alejandro Plastina, Iowa State University associate professor and Extension economist, recently outlined the results of several studies on cover crop adoption and economic considerations as part of an Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar.