Incentives for No-Till and Cover Crops
No-till and cover crop farming are two of the cheapest and most beneficial ways to increase the overall health of your farm. Erosion of top soil by wind and water is reduced and soil properties are greatly increased. Both practices are also eligible for considerable cost-share assistance under various Farm Bill programs.
With no-till farming, crop residue from the previous year’s harvest is left on the soil surface over the winter and during planting operations. No tillage is performed prior to or during planting. The crop residue shelters the soil from the erosive impact of raindrops as well as slows the overland flow of surface water. The residue also shades the soil, keeping moisture available to plants longer. Since the residue is larger than it would be if it was disked into the soil, it takes longer to break down and nutrients aren’t lost to leaching as quickly. The nutrients are available for the crops longer and the organic matter increases soil humus.
Common misconceptions say that the ground needs to be worked each season for good seed to soil contact and quality crop production. This doesn’t have to be the case. When done properly, and as part of a complete farm management system including pest and residue management, no-till can achieve the same yields with lower costs than conventional tillage. With three tillage passes, one after harvest in the fall and two in the spring prior to planting, the average total fuel consumption is about 3.7 gal/acre. At July 2010 diesel prices of $2.80 per gallon, switching from conventional tillage to no-till would save around $10.36 per acre. Assuming the yield is comparable, that’s an incredible savings. There are many studies, as well as local examples, stating yields to be roughly the same and net profits to be considerably higher when comparing no-till to conventional till with a chisel or moldboard plow.
Farmers that make the switch to no-till or want to increase their no-till practices may be eligible for cost-share funds through EQIP or CSP. Those funds can be used to offset any costs incurred from learning new methods, buying new equipment or any other factor. Cost-share payments range from $9 to $16 per acre, depending on the practice installed, and recur for three years.
Cover crops are live vegetation planted between production crop cycles or between rows of fruit crops. They are an amazingly cost-effective way to increase the health and production of your land. Not only does the live vegetation hold top soil in place against wind and water erosion, the cover also provides valuable nturients and humus to the soil for a cash crop. Depending on the specific cover, a farmer can add nitrogen to soil depleted by the previous crop or scavenge nitrogen if it’s left in excess. Other nutrients, such as potassium and phosphorus, can also be managed by using specific covers.
In addition to fertilizing, cover crops aerate soil with natural tillage by their roots. Some radishes, for example, are capable of producing over a 12” x 2” root mass and can grow in a variety of soils. If used in clay soils, radishes can provide the aeration and organic matter necessary to build the soil enough for a successful cash crop the next season. They also provide excellent forage, as do many other covers. Along with the aeration, infiltration is increased, keeping more water in the soil and less running off the surface carrying sediment and nutrients.
Cost-share funding for cover crops is also available through EQIP. A one-year payment of $33 per acre is available for non-legume covers and $45 per acre for legume covers. Cost-share can be used to purchase seed, pay for installation, equipment rental or any other expense deemed necessary by the farmer. The benefits of cover crops are fantastic and, with the added incentive of cost-share payments, the initial attempt carries little risk or out of pocket investment.
Contact the Van Buren Conservation District or the local NRCS field office in Paw Paw for more information on setting up a conservation plan or to learn more about cover crops and no-till.
