Cover Crops Boost Profitability and Soil Health

By Andi Anderson

Cover crops are gaining attention as an important tool for improving farm profitability and soil health. In a recent discussion, Illinois farmers Adam Dahmer, Brent Fowler, and Greg Thoren shared their experiences with cover crops and no-till farming systems.

Their insights highlighted the importance of evaluating cover crops as part of an overall farming strategy rather than focusing only on annual crop yields.

Southern Illinois farmer Adam Dahmer encouraged farmers to look beyond the cost of cover crop seed. He explained that many producers carefully calculate seed expenses but often overlook the cost of tillage operations.

According to Dahmer, reducing or eliminating tillage can lower fuel, labor, and equipment expenses, helping offset the cost of establishing cover crops. He also shared that fields with similar soil conditions and management histories have shown an average four-bushel-per-acre increase in corn yields after adopting no-till and cover crop practices.

Farmer Greg Thoren emphasized the importance of profitability by stating, "yield doesn’t pay the bills; it’s profit per acre." He explained that cover crop expenses can be balanced through lower fertilizer requirements and reduced input costs.

Maintaining yields while decreasing expenses can improve overall farm returns. Thoren also noted that cover crops provide several long-term benefits that contribute to profitability over time.

The farmers agreed that healthy soil is one of a farm’s most valuable assets. Long-term use of cover crops and no-till systems can improve soil aggregation, increase organic matter, enhance water infiltration, and improve water-holding capacity.

These benefits help crops perform better during dry conditions while reducing soil compaction and erosion. Improved soil conditions also support beneficial soil organisms that aid nutrient cycling.

West-central Illinois farmer Brent Fowler discussed several financial incentives that can support cover crop adoption. These include crop insurance premium discounts, conservation incentive programs, carbon market payments, and reduced herbicide expenses through natural weed suppression.

Such opportunities can help offset establishment costs and make conservation practices more financially attractive.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling