This document summarizes research on the economic and environmental benefits of using cover crops in cotton production systems in northwest Louisiana. An Excel-based tool was used to assess the costs and benefits of cover crops over multiple studies between 1973-1996, accounting for factors like seed costs, yield increases, erosion reduction, and soil improvement. The results showed that while cover crops increased short-term costs, they provided long-term benefits and increased total net returns, especially for no-till systems. The authors call for incentive programs that better recognize the agronomic and environmental benefits cover crops provide beyond just production costs.