The water conundrum of planting cover crops in the Great Plains: When is an inch not an inch?

Abstract

Cover crop use is being widely promoted throughout the entire United States because of the potential benefits related to protecting and improving the soil. However, in semiarid environments such as the western and central Great Plains (where water is the single most limiting factor to crop production), cover crop water use may result in significant yield loss in following crops such as winter wheat. This article explores why many of the benefits associated with cover crop use may not be seen in this water‐limited environment. Earn 1.5 CEUs in Crop Management by reading this article and completing the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/certifications/self‐study/699 .