Survey Shows Farmers Favor Use of Cover Crops

Dr. Rob Meyers with USDA sustainable ag an extension group at the University of Missouri says that they conducted a survey with farmers regarding their use of cover crops and whether or not they will continue to plant them without incentives.

“Once that incentive payment goes away, does the farmer stick with cover

crops? Z’

Dr. Meyers recaps the survey's findings.

“That 67% said definitely, yes, they're gonna stick with cover crops after those payments, and another 22, almost 23%? Probably yes. So we're looking at about 90% are saying they're either definitely or probably going to stick with cover crops."

On the flip side of that-

"We only had about 3%. That said they would stop using cover crops, either probably or definitely after the incentive ends."

And the bottom line is-

"Finding that 90% are either definitely or probably going to continue to cover crops after the incentive payment and really explodes the myth. The farmers only do cover crops when they're paid to do them. And once the payment goes away, that's the end of it. I mean, just when 90% are saying they're gonna continue and only 3% are saying they're gonna stop. That's a pretty strong indication that the incentive is not an issue.”

Dr. Rob Myers with USDA sustainable ag research and extension group at the University of Missouri.