Comparing cover crop use by horticultural and commodity producers

Abstract

Although horticultural and commodity producers have some notable differences in their cover crop uses, including species used, termination practices, and types of tillage, both have found cover crops to provide many benefits, including improved profits over time. Both cite reduced soil erosion, improved weed control, better soil fertility, and increased soil health. Cover crops have played a significant role on horticultural farms for a longer period of recent decades than commodity farms, but both types of farmers are increasing cover crop use and finding more ways to efficiently fit cover cropping into their operations. While horticultural producers do use tillage as one of several common methods of cover crop termination, over half reported that they reduced their use of tillage after adopting cover crops. Both types of farmers report being able to cut back somewhat on input costs and improve their profitability with cover crops. Future research should take into account some of the unique differences for cover crop use among types of farmers, including tests with a much wider number of cover crops than just cereal rye, and especially doing more research on cover crop mixes. Further progress with cover crop use and adoption can be expected, driven by ongoing farmer experiences, new cover crop management technology and varieties, public and private sector incentives, education efforts, and research insights.