Environmental News Network - South Dakota Producers Reap Rewards of Cover Crops

Details: By South Dakota State University; 30.Jul

Farmers who use cover crops for grazing are more likely to view them as increasing their profitability, even during the first few years, according to survey of eastern South Dakota producers.

Michael Hammer

The longer farmers use cover crops, the more likely they are to see the benefits and to use the conservation practice on a higher percentage of their farmland, according to a survey of eastern South Dakota producers.

Cover crops, which are planted after harvesting the cash crop, help prevent erosion and runoff and increase soil organic matter, thereby reducing the need for fertilizer and improving water quality. In addition, cover crops can help suppress weeds, thereby reducing herbicide and pesticide usage, according to assistant professor Tong Wang of South Dakota State University’s Ness School of Management and Economics.

She is part of a team of SDSU researchers who conducted the spring 2018 survey to evaluate producers’ perceptions about the benefits of conservation practices aimed at improving soil health, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and increasing the sustainability of agriculture.

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South Dakota Producers Reap Rewards of Cover Crops