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Study looks at the economics of cover crops

A professor of agricultural economics is researching the economic benefits of cover crops.

Purdue University’s Wally Tyner says in times of tight margins farmers want to make sure it makes sense economically to use cover crops.

And right now – information is limited.  “A lot of farmer do cover crops and are absolutely convinced that there is tremendous benefit that their yields are better and all kinds of economic advantages,” he says.  “But it hasn’t been documented.”

The study was announced earlier this year and Tyner says they’re still looking for farmers from 37 Indiana counties.  “We want farmers that are corn-corn or corn-soybean,” he says.  “So we can compare across farms.  We need farmers that do cover crops and those that don’t do cover crops.  In fact we need more that don’t do cover crops because the cover crop farmers are by in large are interested in participating.”

He tells Brownfield the three-year research program is funded through a Conservation Innovation Grant from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Purdue University, and Farm Foundation.

To be part of the study, a farming operation must be in one of 37 Indiana counties:
Adams, Allen (western), Benton, Blackford, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Decatur, DeKalb, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jay, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Morgan, Noble, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Union, Wabash, Wayne, Wells, and Whitley.  To inquire about participating in the study, farmers should contact Wally Tyner at Purdue University.

AUDIO: Wally Tyner, Purdue University