Farmers plant cover crops to keep the soil anchored between growing seasons, reaping benefits in soil erosion, fertility, water retention, weed and pest control, and biodiversity. While the practice is growing in popularity, cover crop acreage in the United States remains low.

Passage of a unique concept that got Congressional consideration during the writing of the 2018 Farm Bill could put more dollars in the pockets of no-tillers. It’s an idea that farmers who use no-till, cover crops and conservation-minded crop rotations to protect the soil should be rewarded with an equivalent of auto insurance’s “good driver discount” when it comes to paying crop insurance premiums.

With significant weather-related damage to corn and soybean fields in Nebraska recently, there could be an opportunity for growers to try seeding cover crops in those fields to raise a high-quality forage and offset at least some of the lost fall and winter grazing potential, says University of Nebraska Extension.

Cover crops can be used for different reasons, such as to provide soil erosion protection, alleviate compaction, control weeds, fix atmospheric nitrogen for the next crop, harvest for hay, and as a grazing resource. The reason for using a cover crop will determine which species or mixture of species you choose, as well as how you manage it.

One major consideration before deciding to plant a double crop or cover crop after wheat is the potential for herbicide carryover. Cover crops can be challenging in this regard.

Scott Gonnerman no-tills corn, soybeans and small grains on his 250-acre Waco, Neb. operation. In this video, Gonnerman breaks down the benefits of water infiltration with no-till in addition to his cover crop and weed management strategies that enable him to cut costs on seeds.

When growers talk about the benefits of cover crops, the talk normally centers around erosion control, keeping nutrients in the field, improving soil quality and trimming fertilizer purchases. More effective weed control is another benefit, and some no-tillers have found cover crops allow them to omit at least one costly herbicide trip across their fields per year.

No production in the saline areas results in a net loss. By establishing perennial salt-tolerant covers, not only can we profit from these currently unproductive areas but can also minimize blowing of topsoil