Are there disadvantages to planting cover crops?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Cover crops can provide substantial benefits to farmers. Still, they also come with true challenges that farmers should be aware of. The initial investment for seed and possibly even equipment is out of pocket. Proper timing for termination has a learning curve. I have witnessed fields where the cover became essentially weeds when managed poorly, competing with the cash crop for resources.
Establishment Costs
- Seed expenses range $15-50/acre depending on species
- Equipment needs vary from simple spreaders to specialized drills
- Labor requirements increase during busy planting seasons
Management Complexity
- Termination timing varies by species and growth stage
- Integration with cash crop rotations requires careful planning
- Weather dependencies affect planting and termination success
Potential Competition
- Improper termination leads to regrowth competing with crops
- Water usage during establishment may stress nearby plants
- Delayed decomposition can temporarily tie up soil nutrients
Correct species selection negates most drawbacks. Choose winter-kill types, such as oats, for easy termination, as you won't have to worry about managing the termination process. Choose drought-tolerant species if you live in arid regions, so there is no water competition. I work with farmers to match covers to their specific sites, so they avoid common pitfalls.
Timing remains crucial to prevent resource competition. Cover crops should be planted early enough to establish, but late enough to avoid competition with the cash crop. Termination should happen at a specific growth stage of development before seed set. Personally, I would recommend terminating cereal rye at the boot stage to ensure more efficient decomposition.
Cover crops, despite their challenges, provide net benefits that exceed their negatives; the decreased need for fertilizer more than offsets the seed costs over time, and improved soil structure reduces irrigation dependence. My fields are currently producing a 20% higher yield after three years of cover cropping, despite initial obstacles.
Read the full article: 10 Best Cover Crops for Soil Health and Yield
