Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a groundbreaking model to guide farmers in adopting cover crops, which could significantly impact agricultural practices across the nation. Professor and department extension leader of agricultural and resource economics Rod Rejesus leads the team. Along with their colleague, associate professor Zachary Brown, they developed a model that maximizes cover crop adoption given particular soil health and economic indicators.
Planting cover crops has significant benefits, as the model clearly shows. This practice is particularly beneficial for climates with rich, untilled earth. The researchers considered local factors, such as prevailing cash crop prices and fertilizer costs. In doing so, they created a powerful tool to encourage more farmers to adopt these sustainable practices, while saving them money on their costly fertilizer use.
Benefits of Cover Crops
Cover crops provide many environmental benefits, such as building soil health and decreasing the need for fertilizers. According to research conducted by Texas A&M, establishing and maintaining these crops can reduce the need for costly fertilizer treatments. In a time of increasing costs, this will be a power move for farmers. For producers in areas where the rising cost of fertilizer has become a significant market barrier, cover crop adoption can be a financially beneficial practice.
Crimson clover (left) and hairy vetch (right) are two popular and productive cover crops. They’re great at “fixing” nitrogen in the soil. This natural process makes them effective long-term substitutes for nitrogen fertilizers. One quickly noticeable change is the number of farmers adopting cover crops. This shift frequently leads to lower total fertilizer inputs, enhancing both sustainability and cost efficiency within their operations.
Given the significant benefits, less than 4% of farmers nationally use cover crops today. The reason for this low adoption rate is a combination of various factors. High soil quality and high nitrogen fertilizer prices present opposite barriers that render cover crops a less attractive practice. The new model takes those barriers head on, giving cities and transit agencies detailed, place-specific information that reflects their unique conditions.
Understanding Soil Health and Fertility
Researchers say that soil health is a key factor in predicting the success or failure of cover crop adoption. These fields with low soil quality usually have lackluster returns. This creates a steep learning curve to effectively incorporate these crops into the planting regimen. The model considers the fertility of the soil, helping farmers identify whether their land is suitable for cover crops or if improvements are needed before adoption can occur.
In areas where we have strong soil health, the advantages of taking up cover crops increases dramatically. Based on a soil health assessment, the model nudges farmers to take actions that will help them achieve the economic and ecological benefits of sustainable agricultural practices. In doing so, they’re able to improve the productivity of their own farm while doing their part to impact environmental conservation efforts in a positive way.
Economic Implications
The economic climate plays a huge role in farmers’ decisions to adopt cover crops. It has an outsized effect on their decisions and tactics. The current prices for nitrogen fertilizer products are one of the biggest factors in determining whether farmers see cover crops as a worthwhile investment. Even if the market incentives for cover crops are there, when fertilizer prices are low, the incentive to switch goes away.
The NC State model provides farmers with a comprehensive view of how local conditions affect their potential for adopting cover crops. Utilizing the platform’s data, farmers can even compare current market trends with soil health metrics. This provides them with opportunities to make smart decisions that enhance their economic priorities while encouraging environmentally-conscious agriculture.