1) Two national surveys of farmers using cover crops were conducted in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 with over 1700 farmers responding. 2) Preliminary results from the 2013-2014 survey show that cover crops increased corn and soybean yields in 2012, a drought year, and in 2013. Yields were 5-11 bushels higher for corn and soybeans with cover crops compared to without. 3) Additional analysis of drought-stricken states in 2012 like Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa found higher yields with cover crops. Benefits to drought resilience may include deeper root systems, reduced evaporation, and improved soil health retaining more moisture.

1. R O B M Y E R S , N C R - S A R E
K A R E N S C A N L O N , C T I C
C H A D W A T T S , C T I C
A L A N W E B E R , M A R C - I V
Trends With Cover Crops: Results of
Two National Cover Crop Surveys

2. SARE/CTIC Cover Crop Survey
• For the 2012-13 survey, 759 farmers who use cover crops
completed the survey
• Survey was done both online and through paper copies at Midwest farmer meetings
• For the 2013-14 survey, over 1700 farmers using cover crops
answered survey questions; the survey also includes a smaller set
of questions for farmers who have not yet used cover crops – over
500 responses
• The 2013-14 survey is an online survey with wide national distribution

3. COVER CROP IMPACT ON
CORN AND SOYBEAN YIELDS
IN THE DROUGHT YEAR OF
2012

4. Impact of Cover Crops on Corn and Soybean 2012 Yields*
126.2
115.1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
All respondents
Bushelsperacre
corn with covers corn without covers
47.1
42.2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
All respondents
BushelsperAcre
Soybeans with covers
Soybeans without covers
Based on 234
Respondents
Based on 196
Respondents
*Yields are for 2012 on farms where farmers had side by side fields with similar management
and varieties, other than using cover crops or not

5. States affected by the 2012 drought

6. Drought States Commodity Crop Yields
as Impacted by Cover Crops in 2012
• Broke the data down to look at yield impact in seven of the
states hit hardest by drought
(specifically NE, KS, SD, MO, IA, IL, and IN)

7. How can cover crops help in a drought?
 Benefits that may occur from cover crop in first year
 Deep rooting cover crops lead to deeper rooting cash crops
 Residue blanket reduces evaporation
 Possible changes in mycorrhizae and overall soil biology
 Long term benefits
 Increased organic matter
 Better rainfall infiltration
 Better retention of moisture in the soil profile
 Better soil health
 Less restrictions to root growth
 Use of cover crops is often accompanied by other changes, like the
move to no-till (each tillage pass causes the loss of soil moisture)

8. COVER CROP IMPACT ON
CORN AND SOYBEAN YIELDS
IN 2013

9. Impacts of Cover Crops on Corn and
Soybean Yields in 2013
164.9
159.9
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
140.0
160.0
180.0
Corn with Covers Corn without Covers
49.4
47.2
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
Soybeans with Covers Soybeans without Covers
Based on 529
Respondents
Based on 570
Respondents
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

10. 2013 Corn Yields by State
Preliminary data from 2013-14
SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

11. Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

12. Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

13. Vertical
Tillage
6%
Rotational No-till
13%
Reduced Tillage
16%
Conventional Tillage
23%
Continuous No-till
42%
Predominant Tillage System Used With Cover Crops in 2013
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

14. Seeding with Liquid
Manure
1%
Precision Seeding with
Corn or Soybean
Planter
3%
Broadcast Seeding
with Seeds left on the
Surface
12%
Aerial Seeding
14%
Broadcast Seeding
with Light
Incorporation
24%
Drilling
46%
Primary Method of Seeding Cover Crops in 2013
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

15. Farmers Not Yet Using Cover Crops
105
113
124
128
137
139
148
175
186
188
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Farm management / partner views on cover crops
Amount and availability of cover crop information
Amount and availability of financial incetives
General interest in cover cropping
Perception that cover crops reduce yields in the following
cash crop
Access to trusted technical assistance providers for cover
crop advice
Perception that cover crops are tough to terminate
Availability of planting equipment and service providers
Perception that cover crops are costly
Perception that cover crops make planting more difficult
Rating the Factors that May Limit Cover Crop Adoption
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

16. Cover Crops Role of Ag Retailers
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Encouraging farmers to plant cover crops
Advising farmers on what cover crop seed
to purchase
Providing cover crop seeding services
Providing cover crop termination advice
and services
Helping to adjust nutrient management
plans to account for cover crop nutreint…
Helping assess and understand soil
changes resulting from cover crop use
Non-Users Users
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

17. Median Cover Crop Seeding Costs
$-
$5.00
$10.00
$15.00
$20.00
$25.00
$30.00
Seed costs Establishment costs (if you
did pay somebody)
Establishment costs (what
you are willing to pay
somebody)
Whatfarmersarepaying
orwillingtopay
($/acre)
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

18. Roller - crimping
1%
Other
5%
Mowing
10%
I prefer to plant cover
crops that winter-kill
19%
Tillage
20%
Herbicide
45%
Primary Cover Crop Termina on Methods Used in 2013
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

19. Cover crop cost share
14%
8%
15%
63%
How Financial Assistance is Used
Yes - I initially received cost-share
but now I largely self-fund
Yes, I have only planted cover crops
using financial assistance
Yes, I have periodically received and
used financial assistance
No - I have not received financial
assistance to plant cover crops
Preliminary data from 2013-14 SARE/CTIC cover crop survey

20. What cover crop farmers would tell their neighbor
 It is a systems approach based on a return to the way
nature is intended to work and therefore can be extremely
successful.
 If you expect to be able to farm your land in 50 years, or
have your child or grandchild farm it, then you need to use
cover crops.
 There is a wide array of cover crops that can improve every
rotation and soil with a little bit of planning.
 Keeping the soil covered year-round provides food for the
life in the soil, which in turn provides nutrients for your
crops.
 We must take better care of the soil we depend on.

21. Visit www.sare.org/covercrops
for full survey results