LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — Cover crop acres are increasing across the United States, but adoption remains limited as farmers weigh soil benefits against immediate costs. North Carolina State University Extension economist Alejandro Gutierrez-Li reports that Texas led the nation with 1.55 million cover-crop acres in the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Cover crops are planted between cash crops, often corn and soybeans, to reduce erosion, suppress weeds, build soil health, and support carbon storage. Nationally, they still account for less than 5 percent of cropland.
Texas, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, and Missouri ranked among the leading states by acreage, and each of the top 10 states increased cover-crop planting between 2017 and 2022.
The challenge is timing and cost. Seed, labor, termination, and possible yield effects on the following crop can weigh on short-term returns, while many soil benefits may take several years to develop.
In addition, long-term, large-area cover crop use may reduce pesticide use by supporting natural pest predators. Producers considering the practice are encouraged to begin with manageable acreage and local Extension guidance.
